 The full version of this diagram can be found on our website - please follow the link in the article below
Howzat? New pitches, pavilion and more approved
We've approved proposals for new sports and community facilities off both sides of Princess Marina Drive in Arborfield Green.
The scheme, to be provided by developer Crest Nicholson, comprises:
- A new pavilion to replace the current one
- Seven football pitches (four small and three large)
- Four refurbished tennis courts
- A cricket wicket
- A multi-use games area
- Two children's play areas
- 35 allotments
The pavilion will meet Sport England's standards, will be wheelchair accessible and will have changing rooms for players and umpires.
It will have a club room with kitchen and serving facilities, which will allow it to be hired out for events - in turn raising money towards its upkeep.
There'll also be two car parks, which offer enough space even when the pitches are at maximum capacity.
You can view the full version of the plan shown above on our website.
 Listening to the community's views
The scheme has been revised following residents' feedback on an earlier version.
Although this delayed the decision a little, it was important to ensure the final vision met people's needs as much as possible.
These facilities, along with others now in progress, must be provided under a legal agreement linked to Crest's planning permission for new housing in this area.
We've received a detailed planning application for 186 new homes at Finchwood Park, which is part of a wider outline planning application that's already been agreed. You can find out more on our website and, if you have any comments, we'd appreciate hearing them before Monday, 22 July.
 Thanks for your input on community centre
We're pleased that lots of you responded to a recent consultation on proposals for a new community centre in Arborfield Green.
Developer Crest Nicholson is going to repurpose the former Ministry of Defence training building, next to Arborfield Green Leisure Centre, as part of the planning obligations linked to new homes in this area.
Two drop-in sessions were held last month, hosted by the Arborfield Green Community Centre Working Group, and Crest organised an online survey.
People suggested a range of ideas about how the building could be used and what needs it might serve. Feedback is now being analysed and will form part of the overall requirements given to Crest for consideration.
The scheme already has planning permission from us, as part of plans for a district centre with shops and other amenities, but your comments will help finalise the details including the internal layout.
We're listening to your views as part of the working group, which includes local residents, parish councils and Crest's representatives, and we're all working hard to provide a community centre we can all be proud of.
 Works on shops and other facilities continue
The grounds are still being prepared for the district centre, which will be built off Nine Mile Ride Extension, and Sainsbury's are expected to start work on their planned supermarket later this year.
The finished scheme will also include a pedestrianised high street and public square with 18 retail units, 206 new houses and flats including affordable provision, plus space for a pre-school, a day nursery, pub and more.
A new 23-8-hectare nature park at West Court, east of Finchwood nature park off the A327 Reading Road, also continues to take shape and we look forward to announcing more when we can.
 More shopping options near your doorstep
Work has also started on a new Lidl supermarket to serve the growing nearby community at Shinfield Parish after we gave it planning permission.
This scheme was agreed in principle as part of an application for up to 1,200 homes and accompanying infrastructure in the area, which in turn was part of our local plan to shape the borough's future.
The foundations and outer frame for the building are now well under way, and the finished building will have cycle parking and pedestrian access to reduce the need for car journeys.
 Another chance to get out in nature!
We've just finished building a new pedestrian and cycle path connecting two of the borough's nature parks.
The route runs through Hazebrouck Meadow at Arborfield Green and connects to its new counterpart at Hogwood Park, at the former Reading Football Club training ground in Finchampstead parish.
We carried out the work with funding that developers must pay towards community infrastructure as part of their permissions to build new housing in the area.
Our nature parks have been provided across the borough to give residents an attractive green space to visit while providing additional havens for our wildlife.
Don't forget - we're changing how we collect household waste next month. Sign up to our Rubbish & Recycling newsletter or visit our dedicated webpages to find out all you need to know.
 Stay in the know on local improvements
Our California Cross improvement project at Finchampstead continues to progress, and we're still working to minimise the impact - as well as keeping you informed.
Please keep showing your support for the businesses in this area, as they're open throughout the works.
You can read all the major updates in our Traffic & Travel newsletter or get more detailed updates in our special California Cross newsletter.
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