 Help shape a new centre for the community
Developer Crest Nicholson is going to reopen the former Ministry of Defence training building next to Arborfield Green Leisure Centre as a new community centre.
To help consider what residents want from it, two drop-in sessions will be held at the existing community centre off Princess Marina Drive (RG2 9NN):
- 6.30pm until 8.30pm on Tuesday, 4 June
- 10am until 12.30pm on Saturday, 8 June
These are hosted by the Arborfield Green Community Centre Working Group, which Crest is part of. They're open for everyone to give their views on how the building should be used and what local demands it might meet.
The scheme already has planning permission, and your feedback will help finalise the internal layout before any refurbishment starts.
Crest's team will be on hand to give a progress update and answer any other questions about your local area.
If you can't make the drop-ins, you can still share your thoughts on the community centre plans by taking a short survey organised by Crest.
Listening to everyone from the outset
The new community centre will be part of a wider district centre with shops, green space and more, which we approved last October.
Earlier in 2023, we consulted residents and spoke to people that might benefit, like parish councils, schools and community organisations - and we've continued listening since then as part of a dedicated working group.
Community centres offer a valuable space for people to meet and socialise, or can serve as bases for public services or charities to operate.
There are many possibilities and we know it's really important to get it right.
 First steps in making new shops and more a reality
Works have begun to prepare the ground for the new district centre, including the Sainsbury's supermarket that we approved under a separate application.
Contractors are levelling the site to hand over to Sainsbury's, who hope to start building later this year, and laying utilities and access roads.
The district centre, off Nine Mile Ride Extension, will have a pedestrianised high street and public square with 18 retail units, plus space for a pre-school, a day nursery, pub and the community centre.
There’ll be 206 new houses and flats, with affordable housing on site plus a financial contribution to affordable housing within the borough. Crest has received offers to run the pub and will announce more soon.
Building the district centre will take about three years but the first shops could open in about 18 months. It's hoped that Sainsbury's could open by the end of 2025.
The district centre will be highly accessible for pedestrians and cyclists, and served by the Leopard 3 bus, to reduce vehicle journeys as part of our climate emergency and air quality goals.
 Newly-opened café is already Berkshire's best
The Stables Speciality Coffee Co, off Bridle Road, has been named Berkshire's best café less than a year after it opened.
Earlier this month, it took the title in this year's Muddy Stilettos awards after winning the most votes from happy customers.
The café, near the horse sculptures off Biggs Lane and the new Farley Hill Primary School, opened last December and offers an Australian-inspired menu including a new brunch selection.
It's also dog-friendly, offering treats for four-legged visitors as well as their owners, and has a bike rack outside for cyclists.
Find out more about what they're up to on Facebook and Instagram.
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The fourth phase of the "linear park" to the west of Waterman's Lake, between Princess Marina Drive and Biggs Lane, has been completed.
The car park at St Eligius' Church in Tope Road is nearly complete, and Crest Nicholson have exchanged contracts with the Diocese of Oxford to buy the land, along with the church and its grounds.
We're also expecting a decision on revised proposals for new sports facilities off Princess Marina Drive next month. This includes pitches, tennis courts and a pavilion as well as new allotments and a play area.
This scheme has been updated after people gave their views on an earlier version, which Crest have aimed to take on board.
 Finchwood Park, which will be linked to the new West Court site (image: Thames Basin Heaths Partnership)
Popular green space to expand eastwards
Crest have started work on a new 23.8-hectare nature park at West Court, immediately east of Finchwood nature park off the A327 Reading Road.
It will include a circular walk with links to the Finchwood site along with grassland, ponds, a bat barn, new tree planting and landscaping with earth mounds for a more natural appearance.
This will create a continuous green space surrounding the Grade II listed manor house at West Court, previously the officers' mess for Arborfield Garrison.
The site, which also sits on part of an old Roman road known as the Devil's Highway, will have a small car park but visitors should visit on foot or by cycling if they can.
We've taken over management of Finchwood nature park from Cala Homes and we'll do the same with West Court once it's finished and settled in.
Both developers were required to provide new green space under legal agreements that were made when we gave planning permission for housing.
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