NEWS

The latest property stories coming out of the Thames Valley

05/24/2018

Three new faces at Frasers Property

Winnersh Triangle owner Frasers Property UK has announced three key appointments. Chris Stevens and Eilidh McAllister have joined its asset management team while Katharine Westcar has become head of marketing (commercial). Mr Stevens has 12 years experience in real estate investment and asset management. He was previously with Resolution Property where he asset managed UK and German office investments. Prior to that, he worked for Singaporean Sovereign wealth fund, GIC Ms McAllister was
05/23/2018

96 homes, bus lane proposal and school expansion all set for approval

Three major planning applications go before councillors in Reading on Wednesday (May 30) with each recommended for approval. Thames Properties’ plans for 96 homes at the former Cox & Wyman site looks set to go through at the council's planning committee meeting. The developer wants to build 48 three-bedroom houses, 40 one/two-bedroom flats and eight three bedroom flats on the Cardiff Road site. Although employment space will be lost, Cllr Tony Page, lead member for strategic environment,
05/23/2018

Prison vision unveiled

Two theatres, an Oscar Wilde museum and creative businesses working from cells are on a list of ambitious plans for a cultural hub at Reading prison. Reading Festival organiser Melvin Benn, chairman of Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR), unveiled the group’s Vision of Opportunities to around 60 guests at the Penta Hotel on Tuesday, May 22. A list of ambitions being considered includes: * One theatre holding 1,450, and another for 450 * Performance/rehearsal space * Cells used for creative start
05/22/2018

First look inside Slough's latest leisure centre

Slough's newest leisure centre is to open on June 11. Conversion of the former ten-pin bowling centre into a new offer called Salt Hill Activity Centre will provide a major family-centred attraction. It will include a trampolining zone with light chase game and battle pits, a high-wire climbing zone with tight ropes and suspended mid-air tubes, caving zone, large soft play area and six ten-pin bowling lanes in a separate area with its own bar. There will also be five party rooms, a
05/21/2018

View from the riverbank: Flat out on high rise

The start of work on Thames Quarter is a welcome sign of new development in Reading and a sign of M&G's continued faith in the town. With further building work on 700 flats coming soon at the former Toys R Us and Homebase sites and work on 400+ at the former Wickes site in Weldale Street not far away, cranes will once again be a feature of the skyline. And there are three more future development sites nearby. Upwards of 800 flats are likely at the former Royal Mail site in Caversham Road,
05/21/2018

Guests' grandstand view of Park Drive East

Oxfordshire’s largest speculative development for several years was unveiled to around 70 guests last week. Park Drive East at Milton Park, three buildings of office, high-tech and laboratory space, was celebrated by a guest appearance by Phil Burt, head physio for Team GB and Sky cycling teams, who explained how innovation and technology was used in the success of both set ups. Delegates were largely property professionals including agents from the Oxfordshire, Thames Valley and London areas.
05/21/2018

'Technology must serve the industry's future'

UK Property Forums researcher Andrew Gibson reports from the FT Future of Construction summit at One Great George Street in London on Wednesday, May 16. Technology has been at the forefront of discussion when looking beyond the horizon in any industry - and construction is no different. But is it all hot air? A recent report by the McKinsey Global Institute found the construction sector to be one of the least digitised global industries. While there has been great progress in the development
05/21/2018

Slough council on the move

Slough councillors will decide next week on plans to move to new offices. Slough Borough Council’s cabinet will be asked on Tuesday, May 29, to approve a proposal to acquire a new site where it can relocate staff to from St Martin's Place and Landmark Place. The council says details of the new building’s location and costs are under wraps until the deal is complete but market speculation suggests it is 25 Windsor Road. Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “It has long

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Independent Property
NEWS & VIEWS

Reporting daily from the Thames Valley tvproperty.co.uk

News

Three new faces at Frasers Property

96 homes, bus lane proposal and school expansion all set for approval

Prison vision unveiled

First look inside Slough's latest leisure centre

View from the riverbank: Flat out on high rise

Guests' grandstand view of Park Drive East

'Technology must serve the industry's future'

Slough council on the move