Plans for new solar farm announced
A solar farm could be built on land near Grazeley as part of our plans to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet the targets in our Environment Strategy. Plans could see more than 45,000 solar panels installed on up to 75 acres of council-owned land - generating enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of 4,400 homes.
A feasibility study found this proposal provides a viable option for clean, green energy which would offset around 30% of the Council's carbon footprint and start to contribute to the wider target of the District being carbon neutral by 2030. This sends a signal to others in West Berkshire to investigate how their home or business may benefit from investing in solar and make a valuable contribution to the District’s target.
Subject to the approval of funding and planning permission being granted, we will be keen to start on the site as soon as possible. Click here to find out more.
Last year, our Community Municipal Investment (CMI) was completed and the funds were put to work, with local green projects popping up across West Berkshire. This CMI was the first of its kind and raised £1 million from more than 600 investors throughout July to October 2020, with over a fifth invested by local people.
The funds enabled six council-owned buildings to be fitted with solar panels including schools in Aldermaston and Burghfield Common and the Willink Leisure Centre. Further funds will be used for local green projects including urban tree planting, improving and expanding our cycling and walking network, and habitat creation for flood protection. Find out more about the scheme here.
 We are currently proposing a number of new schemes and initiatives aimed at encouraging active travel in West Berkshire. We would like your feedback so we can shape the plans further.
Our Active Travel schemes are designed to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, including children and adults alike.
They will also promote health and wellbeing for residents; improve the environment, air quality and sustainability; and play a key role in COVID-19 economic recovery plans.
Our proposed initiatives include developing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Newbury and Thatcham, piloting the School Streets scheme in Calcot and improving cycle lanes and pedestrian access along the A4 between Newbury and Thatcham. These consultations are open for between six and eight weeks, so please check the dates on the platform to ensure your comments are received within the consultation time frames.
In addition, our new engagement platform you can also help us identify suitable locations in your neighbourhood to create more accessible streets for active travel. Visit the Active Travel Heat Map to have your say. You have until Friday, 2 July 2021 to get involved.
To learn more about the schemes and provide feedback, please visit the Active Travel engagement platform.
A multi-million pound upgrade to Theale railway station is due to begin soon, with plans set to include:
- Improved accessibility across the station, with a new footbridge and lifts
- New access points leading to a forecourt area with drop-off zone
- Improved facilities for cyclists
- Expansion of the existing car park including electric vehicle charging points
- The completion and opening of the new ticket office and toilets
This investment has been made possible through a £4 million grant from Local Growth Deal funding via the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. This money was secured recently by the Council and GWR and will be put to use very soon when improvements to the cycle and pedestrian routes to the station start as the first phase of the wider scheme. The Council, GWR and Network Rail will work together to deliver these significant and wide ranging improvements for Theale Station.
By improving our train stations and services, we hope to encourage residents and commuters to choose more sustainable ways to travel to help reduce our carbon footprint.
In October we were delighted to receive Green Flag Awards for Northcroft and Goldwell Parks, and Holybrook Linear Park for the 10th and 11th year in a row respectively!
This scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the UK and around the world.
We understand how quality green spaces matter to our residents, especially during lockdown, and these awards help celebrate our dedicated staff, contractors and our excellent volunteer groups. We have already submitted applications for these parks to be included in this year’s Green Flag judging and we hope you have fun visiting them.
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In partnership with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, we are creating a network of wildflower verges along our roadsides as well as implementing a sustainable management plan to ensure these vital habitats are preserved.
We will be undertaking a rapid assessment to help identify priority locations. We hope to engage with volunteers and our local communities to raise awareness and increase understanding of the importance of this scheme for our local wildlife.
Watch this space for further updates!
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We will shortly be constructing a footway alongside Sulham Hill, Tilehurst. The footway will link The Ridings housing estate, and other homes in the Little Heath area, with an entrance to the recreation ground. Work is expected to start mid-March 2021 and will aim to:
• Improve access on foot to local amenities
• Improve safety for pedestrians by replacing an uneven grass verge with a surfaced footway
We’ve been working closely with Tilehurst Parish Council in developing this scheme.
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We’re fortunate to live in a district with beautiful countryside and nearly three quarters of West Berkshire falls within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But just how natural is our environment?
People have been utilising and modifying the soils, rocks, water, flora and fauna here for over ten thousand years. Much land-use that we value for its biodiversity – ancient woods, meadows, commons, hedgerows – results from centuries of human creation and management.
To find out more about this story and the traces left behind by our predecessors, check out the Historic Environment Record or join us for a free talk on Wednesday, 10 March.
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Earlier this month registration closed for our West Berkshire Energy Switch scheme. This free switching service is aimed at helping residents find cheaper deals for their gas and electricity bills, with average household savings of £261 per year against standard tariffs just by switching supplier. Plus all the energy tariffs supply 100% renewable energy only!
Registration has increased almost 250% this time around (compared to February 2020) with over 10,000 households having registered through this scheme so far.
If you signed up this time, you have until Tuesday, 23 March 2021 to accept your offer. If you missed out, don’t worry; we hope to run this scheme again later in the year.
You can find out more about the scheme here.
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