NEWS

The latest property stories coming out of the Thames Valley

12/01/2016

Jacksons plan recommended for approval

Reading’s most sensitive development site has come back to the council’s planning applications committee. Capita Hall’s application for the former Jacksons department store has been recommended for approval. The developer wants to convert the ground floor and basement into three restaurant units with 18 flats above and 15 more in a separate building at the rear. The applicant wants to maintain the famous frontage of the shop and add three new windows. Pizza chain Franco Manca, burger
11/30/2016

Congestion charge plan for Oxford

Congestion charging and a workplace parking levy are to be considered in Oxford. Just days after Slough Borough Council’s cabinet approved a report into radical car restraining measures, Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to carry out a study to look at how it can fund car reducing measures in Oxford. The council says money raised can go towards transport improvements. Workplace Parking Levys (WPL) can be introduced, subject to consultation with employers and employees and must then be
11/29/2016

Plans for 514 student rooms in central Oxford

Plans to demolish 15 of the 16 units at Oxford Business Centre and build 514 student rooms have been submitted to the Oxford City Council. The 0.9 hectare site of 1980s industrial units, is owned by Student Castle which will operate the new accommodation, which would be in Osney Lane. There will be 383 sq m of commercial, leisure and community space on the ground floor and total development costs are in the region of £32.5 million. The site, which faces onto the railway line is about 500
11/29/2016

How Elizabeth Line will boost the region

Chief executive of McKay Securities Simon Perkins spoke to Thames Valley Property about the Elizabeth Line, the effects of Brexit and a much celebrated development in Reading. McKay Securities boss Simon Perkins says the full benefits of the Elizabeth Line’s arrival in the Thames Valley will only be realised when the trains are running. Speaking exclusively to Thames Valley Property Mr Perkins, chief executive of the Reading-based developer which brought the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, 9 Greyfriars
11/28/2016

New stores for Krispy Kreme and Next at The Oracle

More changes are planned at The Oracle with Krispy Kreme relocating from its Riverside location to a site within the mall and clothing retailer Next moving into the centre. Just weeks after the announcement of a £5.7 million upgrade at the shopping centre, The Oracle has applied for planning permission to turn the Krispy Kreme unit on the Riverside into a restaurant. But connoisseurs of the doughnut need not go without. Krispy Kreme told us the store will relocate, initially to a box store,
11/28/2016

Growing arts scene 'will bring business to Reading'

Businesses in Reading have said investment in the arts will help drive the town’s growth. Results of a survey of businesses in the town by Reading UK CIC have shown the vast majority say a strong identity will raise the town’s ability to attract and retain staff and persuade employers to relocate to the town. The results showed: * 70 per cent agreed a strong location identity was very important for a relocation decision and recruiting and retaining staff * 82 per cent said the arts could help
11/28/2016

160 homes approved next to Guildford station

Councillors have approved plans to build 160 flats and apartments next to Guildford station. Guildford Borough Council’s planning committee agreed the proposals, submitted by the council itself, to build the apartments (40 per cent at affordable rents) along with a 541-space multi-storey car park - which will have 825 sq m of commercial space on the ground floor - on the site of Guildford Park Road car park. Cllr Tony Rooth, lead councillor for housing and social welfare said: "We are
11/28/2016

Slough ponders 'radical' plans to restrain car use

A candid report on how to tackle Slough’s future problems has suggested radical measures for restraining car use should be considered. Slough Borough Council’s cabinet approved the Issues and Options paper at Monday’s (November 21) meeting which states that 66 per cent of Slough residents who commute out of the town, do so by car, and many go only a short distance. The report states: “This is the sixth highest proportion for all towns and cities in the South East. During the morning peak one

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Independent Property
NEWS & VIEWS

Reporting daily from the Thames Valley tvproperty.co.uk

News

Jacksons plan recommended for approval

Congestion charge plan for Oxford

Plans for 514 student rooms in central Oxford

How Elizabeth Line will boost the region

New stores for Krispy Kreme and Next at The Oracle

Growing arts scene 'will bring business to Reading'

160 homes approved next to Guildford station

Slough ponders 'radical' plans to restrain car use