Plan for 200 homes at Chalgrove

A plan has emerged for 200 homes on land off Marley Lane, Chalgrove in Oxfordshire. Apt Planning, acting for developer Hill, has applied to South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) for a screening opinion to establish whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed for the development. The 41-acre site is a mix of former MoD land, allotments and farmland and the proposed scheme includes community facilities and open space. In the proposals around half the site is designated as a

New Basingstoke retail park planned

Public consultation has begun over a proposed retail park in Basingstoke of seven shops and four restaurants. Area Estates, a joint venture between property developers Fintry Estates and Pears Property, plans to develop the former Smiths Industries site in Winchester Road. Tesco had previously been refused planning permission for a new store there and also lost on appeal. The supermarket giant has now dropped its plans for a new store in Basingstoke. The first consultation took place on July

Network Rail presses home importance of western link

Rail bosses have promised to keep talking to the business community in the Thames Valley to help make western access to Heathrow a reality. Network Rail regional director of infrastructure projects Great Western and Crossrail region Robbie Burns and senior project manager for the western link Anthony Bolton addressed guests of Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, July 14 and explained the eye watering scale of the projects going on in recent years. They told around 100

Suttons Business Park supermarket plan decision due by September

Plans for a new Aldi and drive-thru Costa at Suttons Business Park on the edge of the Wokingham borough, are due to go before councillors by mid September. Park owners Standard Life Investments has submitted two applications, the first involving changes to existing commercial buildings, and the second for the supermarket and drive-thru which will replace a old warehouse building. On June 22, Wokingham Borough Council approved the first application involving demolishing the offices close to the

The Bakery offers Thames Valley a taste of open innovation

A business matchmaking service to help solve problems has been launched at Slough Trading Estate. The Bakery, a team of ‘open innovation specialists’, aims to match entrepreneurs with big businesses, both on the Segro-owned estate and throughout the Thames Valley, to overcome challenges. Problems solved could range from finding better ways to communicate with customers to how to drive efficiencies through a supply chain. Since its launch three years ago, The Bakery has worked on successful

Deal signed to allow 1,500 homes at Maidenhead Golf Club

The redevelopment of Maidenhead Golf Club (MGC) into around 1,500 homes has moved a step closer after a contract was signed to buy the club’s lease. Freeholders, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and MGC have signed the deal which will see the council buy back the club’s remaining 24-year lease and open up the site for development. The Royal Borough will now look for a joint venture partner. As well as the new homes, the 130-acre site is likely to include new infrastructure, including

Massive Manydown scheme looks for developers and investors

Developers and investors have been asked to come forward if they are interested in one of the biggest housing schemes in the south east. The 8,000-home Manydown development in Basingstoke has moved to the next stage with an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice served on Friday, July 8. The notice, served by landowners Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, invites developers and investors to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) as potential

Joint venture partner wanted by Royal Borough

A joint venture partner is needed to team up with the Royal Borough to help develop four mixed use sites in Maidenhead that will provide over 1,000 homes. The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is looking for a development partner to help it transform the sites which total 6.3 hectares. They are at York Road, West Street, Reform Road and St Cloud’s Way. A developer launch briefing has been arranged for Thursday, July 14. As well as homes, the site will be expected to provide new commercial

Council leader's delight as Theresa May becomes Prime Minister

The leader of the council in Theresa May’s Maidenhead constituency has said she has been a ‘fantastic constituency MP’. Mrs May becomes become Prime Minister on Wednesday, July 13, following the withdrawal of Andrea Leadsom from the leadership race. Councillor Simon Dudley, leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, told Thames Valley Property: “I am delighted and proud that Theresa May MP will be our next Prime Minister. She will provide experienced strong leadership for our country

Chance to see East Reading MRT plans

Consultation starts on Tuesday (July 19) over Reading’s next Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. Work is already underway on the A33 MRT and now consultation is due to start on a new route to link Reading town centre with Thames Valley Business Park, as well Wokingham's proposed new Thames Valley Park and Ride. The East Reading MRT would be open to buses only, with a segregated walking and cycle path also created, along Napier Road, close to Tesco over a new single lane bridge over Kennetmouth