 Museum's research centre plan open for comment
After consultation with residents, the Natural History Museum has submitted its plans for a new facility in Shinfield parish to us.
This flagship centre at Thames Valley Science Park, off Cutbush Lane East to the south of the M4, would be a state-of-the-art research hub offering storage for about one-third of its collection.
The museum holds more than 80 million artefacts, spanning 4.6 billion years of natural history, at its sites in South Kensington and Tring in Hertfordshire - including many from time periods that can never be replaced.
It says this "unique global heritage" is now being kept in unsuitable conditions so it wants to move them to the science park in partnership with the University of Reading, which owns the site.
If we give planning permission, the project would receive more than £200 million in funding from the Government. You can view the plans online and tell us what you think until Wednesday, 13 December.
A separate application from the University of Reading for an access road to the site will be coming shortly, so keep an eye on our planning portal.
 Putting Britain and our borough on the map
The centre would be used for digitising data, allowing it to be shared with scientists around the world to help tackle global challenges including climate change, which we're also addressing through our climate emergency action plan.
Moving the items would also free up space in London for more items to be displayed to the public. The Shinfield site wouldn't be open to the public day-to-day, but there would be opportunities for the community to get involved.
The museum says that the Shinfield building would follow "best-in-class" design practice to reduce energy and water use, keeping its environmental impact and carbon footprint as low as possible.
There would also be natural features, including new habitats for insects, bats and birds, to improve biodiversity beyond Government requirements.
It would have 25,424 sq m of internal floorspace and measure 67.7m (222ft) in height, with a largely simple metal and glass exterior. It could be built by 2027 and fully up and running by 2031.
 Helping researchers around the world
The museum says demand for digital data from its collections is growing - and the ability to share large amounts of information around the world is changing the face of research and revealing new finds.
Over five million specimens have already been digitised, about six per cent of everything it holds, and made accessible through the museum's data portal. This allows new questions to be answered all the time.
Some 21 billion records have already been downloaded, with 490 citations in scientific publications.
It says digitising its entire collection could lead to improvements in food security, biodiversity conservation, medical discovery and minerals exploration, with an estimated economic value of more than £2bn.
Images: Natural History Museum
We're changing how we collect rubbish and recycling from most households next summer. From August 2024, most properties will have rubbish collected fortnightly from a wheeled rubbish bin and recycling collected fortnightly from our reusable green bags. Find out more on our dedicated web pages and sign up to our fortnightly Rubbish & Recycling newsletter.
 Who ya gonna call? Spooky happenings at studio...
If there was something strange in your neighbourhood recently, it was probably the fifth Ghostbusters movie being filmed at Shinfield Studios!
We're pleased to announce that this fast-growing site, which we awarded planning permission just over two years ago, doubled as New York as part of Sony Pictures' shoot for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Shortly after we gave the go-ahead for the studio project, its owners confirmed that Disney would be among the first clients - so we're delighted to see it's continuing to go from strength to strength.
Construction of the studios, the largest new film and television development in the UK with 18 sound stages, is set to finish early next year.
 Plaudits for studios and major museum project
Earlier this year, the studios were named Project of the Year in the annual Royal Berkshire Property Awards, which was judged by a panel of 16 experts.
Stantec, the studios' engineers, were also recognised with the County Award.
Meanwhile, runner-up in Project of the Year was the British Museum's upcoming Archaeological Research Centre, which is now under construction at Thames Valley Science Park and continues to progress.
This specialist unit will host thousands of ancient sculptures, mosaics and other artefacts with a strong focus on global research.
Photos: Sony Pictures / Earth Grid
Thames Valley Science Park sits on land which was allocated for employment in our Local Plan, a document that guides how and where all kinds of development should go including housing and community infrastructure. This also includes the Shinfield Parish major development.
 Safer speed limits on the horizon
Speed limits will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph in some parts of Shinfield after residents raised safety concerns
The 30mph limits will be introduced on Church Lane, Basingstoke Road, Hyde End Lane, Hyde End Road, Tabby Drive and Beech Hill Road early next year.
This has been on the cards since 2019 but wasn't previously supported by the police due to the lack of physical measures to slow drivers down. However, developers have since agreed to install more traffic calming measures.
How do we decide speed limits?
Anyone can request a change to speed limits by applying for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which will be reviewed by local councillors and the police.
If they agree, people will then have 21 days to express support, objections or add comments. Our senior managers review this and objections are considered by our decision-making executive councillors, who then have the final say.
They can either approve, reject or amend the TRO. Once it's approved, it’s legally binding and will be advertised in local media and with a notice on the street.
Don't forget that our Wokingham Borough Connect newsletters cover a range of topics, from our twice-weekly Residents' Round-up to Rubbish & Recycling, Traffic & Travel, Countryside, What's On and more. It's free and easy to sign up.
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