Help make community centre the best it can be
Residents living in and near Arborfield Green can help us ensure the area's new community centre becomes a thriving and vibrant hub for everyone.
The former Ministry of Defence training building off Nine Mile Ride Extension is set to be refurbished and redesigned as part of a plan for a district centre with shops, green space, a pub and more.
We'd like to know what you think this community centre, which will be located near Arborfield Green Leisure Centre and other local sports facilities, should offer - whether that's a social space, a base for services and charities or more.
A planning application for the whole district centre is expected by the end of next month and this will include the community centre, which you can still influence by responding to our short and simple survey.
We're also talking to other organisations that might benefit - like parish councils, schools and community groups - to get a clearer picture and make sure everybody's views are counted.
We're going to plant a memorial woodland to those we lost in the coronavirus pandemic at Rooks Nest Farm, just off the greenway between Arborfield and Finchampstead via California Country Park. Find out more about the plans, which we hope will be in place by early next year.
New crossing will help keep everyone safe
We've secured the installation of a pedestrian crossing on Biggs Lane in Arborfield Green, part of this major new community.
The crossing, just north of the roundabout at the junction with Princess Marina Drive, is a "toucan" style allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross side by side.
Along with the nearby flashing signs warning of a 20mph speed limit, this will help to keep everyone safe, including pupils attending Farley Hill Primary School.
The crossing was installed by developer Crest Nicholson and is linked to the new homes it is building in this area.
It replaces a temporary crossing which was set up until a more permanent arrangement was reached, and was ensuring people's safety until then.
What's next for your neighbourhood?
After submitting a planning application for new sports facilities off Princess Marina Drive in Arborfield Green, Crest Nicholson is looking through the comments you submitted to us and considering its next steps.
The developers say they know that some people have raised concerns and are hoping to send us an updated proposal in the near future. The scheme has outline permission so this is a more detailed ("reserved matters") application.
We are also expecting, again in the near future, an application from Crest for a new nature park at West Court at Hogwood Farm, immediately north-east of the existing Finchwood Park off Sheerlands Road.
We've been working with them for some time to finalise the design and get it right for everyone's needs. Once it's built, we'll take over managing it alongside Finchwood Park, which was built by Cala Homes.
The developers are expected to provide new green space under legal agreements secured when we gave planning permission for housing. For more information about the borough's green spots, see our countryside site.
|