 Lidl coming to Shinfield after plans get go-ahead
We're pleased to announce that we've granted planning permission for a Lidl food store at the district centre in Shinfield village, on land off Hollow Lane and north of Beke Avenue, near the community centre which opened last year.
The store will have a 1,305 sq m sales floor including an in-store bakery, with two electric vehicle charging points outside and capacity for more if needed, plus space for solar panels on the roof.
There will be 87 parking places including disabled and parent-and-child bays. The applicant says this will meet demand as this is expected to peak at 46 spaces a day during the week and 77 spaces on a Saturday.
The development is expected to create about 40 full-time and part-time jobs. It will also include sheltered stands for 14 bicycles and improved pedestrian access to the wider community with two new crossings to the north and east of the site.
 Eagerly-awaited plans coming to light at last
This scheme was agreed in principle as part of an application for up to 1,200 homes and accompanying infrastructure in Shinfield Parish, one of four locations earmarked for major development under our Local Plan for the 2006-2026 period.
We've now agreed the finer details under something we call a "reserved matters" application (full version of image above in link), which was the last step that was needed before it could go ahead.
We required a supermarket alongside new homes so people wouldn't have to travel far for their shopping and ideally not drive - helping us to improve air quality, tackle the climate emergency and enable healthier lifestyles.
Looking forward, we're lobbying the Government for a change in how new homes are allocated across the country so that the borough takes a fairer share - and we've recently secured an audience with housing minister Lucy Frazer.
 Getting the right services in the right places
This news follows discussions between our planners and the developers' consortium for Shinfield West, during which the proposals were revised several times.
We know you've been waiting a long time, but it was important to get this right and address our initial concerns on a number of highways, design and ecological matters. By doing this, we've secured a high-quality development that will benefit thousands of residents for many years.
It will also bring improvements to the two public footpaths (11 and 12 in linked map) to the north and west of the site, plus a public space linked to other amenities like the "town square" envisaged in the outline permission for the area.
We'll keep an eye on this project to ensure it moves forward in the way we agreed, with further improvements where possible, and thank the applicant for its positive and proactive attitude to changing the design.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury's has plans for a store at the upcoming district centre in Arborfield, which developer Crest Nicholson is seeking people's views on. More in our latest edition of Infrastructure News.
 VIDEO: Lights, camera, action on film studio progress
The owners of Shinfield Studios, a major international film and TV centre which we awarded planning permission last year, are making fantastic progress as they move towards a partial opening early next year.
The complex, based south of the M4 at Thames Valley Science Park as part of the University of Reading's Cine Valley creative hub, will have 18 sound stages with supporting facilities when it opens fully in 2024.
It has already confirmed Disney among its first clients and we're hoping to share more news as things move forward. Our senior councillors recently visited and were impressed with what they saw, and several local schools have also had a glimpse behind the scenes.
We're now working with the owners and other agencies to identify the skills they need most - including roles in front of the camera and others like carpentry, catering and technology. This will ensure we make the most of the employment opportunities it presents to residents.
Watch the latest developments online
The studio's owners have shared a stunning aerial video of the scheme as it takes shape, including a spectacular fly-through of the site.
The BBC also recently visited to report on its progress and speak with joint managing director Nick Smith, who gave an insight into how it will be used.
The right kind of growth, now and in future
The build uses modular construction, in which parts are built off-site to save time and emissions, and includes "green" features like insulation, solar roof panels, air source heat pumps, cycle storage and electric vehicle charging points.
The studios are part of the borough's major development at Shinfield parish and part of the infrastructure, mostly funded by developers, which was secured alongside the new housing that the Government requires this area to take.
Looking forward, we're lobbying hard to ensure the borough takes a lower, fairer share of housing in future and recently secured an audience on this subject with housing minister Lucy Frazer MP.
We've previously reported that the British Museum will move staff and artefacts to its Archaeological Research Collection at the science park early in the New Year, and we're pleased to tell you that this remains on course.
 Sports pitches and pavilion in the pipeline
We've received two related planning applications for new playing fields and a sports pavilion (pictured) on land in the parish east of Hyde End Lane.
The first includes five playing fields with a grassed area, running track and a public footpath. The site is near a bus stop, which fits with our aim of getting people to use public transport or walking and cycling instead of driving.
The pavilion has been designed following Sport England guidance and will include a club room to take 104 people, an outside terrace for spectators, changing rooms, catering facilities and a separate bin and cycle stores.
Both have outline planning permission already, with just the finer details to be decided through this application. We've received your comments on this and will make a decision as soon as we can.
|
