NEWS

The latest property stories coming out of the Thames Valley

12/04/2017

Appeal date set to decide 245 homes plan at Emmer Green

An appeal over hotly-disputed plans for 245 homes in Emmer Green will be heard in early May – but objectors have just days to submit their views. South Oxfordshire District Council rejected the application by Gladman Developments to build the homes on a 13.48-hectare agricultural site off Peppard Road on the South Oxfordshire side of the boundary with Reading in September. Reading Borough Council was among almost 350 objectors and there was 120 members of the public at the SODC planning
12/04/2017

Taylor Wimpey plans 200 homes for Witney

Taylor Wimpey is planning up to 200 homes off Woodstock Road in Witney. The developer has submitted a scoping opinion request to West Oxfordshire District Council to establish the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to a planning application for the scheme. The plan for homes on the 6.85-hectare farmland site north west of Woodstock Road, is a revised scheme after Taylor Wimpey’s 2014 application for the same number of homes prompted major objections from Oxfordshire County
12/04/2017

Passengers join Frasers Centrepoint to press for train service changes

Frasers Centrepoint, the new owner of Winnersh Triangle, is backing employees of occupiers in a bid to ensure new faster train services stop there. South Western Railway’s (SWR) proposed new timetable will provide two additional trains on the Reading to Waterloo line, but, under the current plans, neither will stop at the park where 5,500 people are employed by 60 businesses. The new services shave eight to 10 minutes off total journey time between Reading and Waterloo, a move welcomed by
12/04/2017

Heathrow is getting quieter

Heathrow airport has reported it has reduced its ‘overall noise footprint’. Analysis from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), commissioned by the airport, shows more than 52,000 fewer households affected by noise compared with 2006. The CAA report showed noise levels over a 24-hour period has reduced by 15 per cent over the last 11years. Heathrow Sustainability Director Matt Gorman said: “Heathrow has some of the world’s toughest rules and regulations on noise, which have played a major role
12/04/2017

Former M&S store bought by Wokingham Borough Council

The vacant former Marks and Spencer (M&S) store in Wokingham has been acquired by the borough council. M&S announced the closure of the store in July just as the retailer’s Bracknell store opened. Work started on the redevelopment of Peach Place in Wokingham in January which is close to the old M&S unit. Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development and regeneration, said the council started looking into the purchase of the site soon after the closure was
12/04/2017

New £14.5m leisure centre for Woodley

Councillors have agreed to provide a new £14.5 million leisure centre in Woodley. Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee has decided to go ahead with the new complex to replace the 1970s built Bulmershe Leisure Centre. The new centre will have a sports hall, a 25m six-lane swimming pool, a 75-station gym, two studios, a teaching pool with movable floor, and a café. The centre will be available to neighbouring, 1,000-pupil Bulmershe School as well. The approval was given at the
12/01/2017

British Museum plans new base at Thames Valley Science Park

The British Museum has announced plans to open a ‘significant new collection, storage and research facility’ at Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP). Thanks to a new partnership between the museum and the University of Reading, the British Museum Archaeological Research Collection will be housed in a new building on the park. The university says it is too early to say whether the new building would be part of Phase 2 of TVSP which won permission earlier this year but initial discussions about the
11/30/2017

Home Group moves into Winnersh Triangle

Housing association, Home Group, has taken space at Winnersh Triangle’s 100 series of small units. The charity which provides homes for sale or affordable rent, often for vulnerable people, specialises in long-term integrated housing, health and care. The new base will put staff close to the park’s road and rail connections. Chief financial officer, John Hudson, said: “Our colleagues are increasingly working more flexibly due to improved IT capabilities. This has enabled us to optimise our

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Independent Property
NEWS & VIEWS

Reporting daily from the Thames Valley tvproperty.co.uk

News

Appeal date set to decide 245 homes plan at Emmer Green

Taylor Wimpey plans 200 homes for Witney

Passengers join Frasers Centrepoint to press for train service changes

Heathrow is getting quieter

Former M&S store bought by Wokingham Borough Council

New £14.5m leisure centre for Woodley

British Museum plans new base at Thames Valley Science Park

Home Group moves into Winnersh Triangle