 Work starts on museum's high-tech new hub
The Natural History Museum has started building its new state-of-the-art collections, research and digitisation centre at Shinfield.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday, 9 September, and was attended by Cllr Carol Jewell, the Mayor of Wokingham Borough.
Guests heard a speech by museum director Dr Doug Gurr, then toured the site to the south of the M4 off Cutbush Lane East.
You can see more photos online or take a guided video tour.
The finished building will span three football pitches, with a 25,000 sq m footprint. Construction should finish in 2027, with everything up and running by 2031.
It will house 28 million items, about a third of the museum's collection - including mammals, invertebrates, fossils, genetic material and microscopic specimens.
It'll be kitted out with cutting edge equipment including ancient DNA labs and cryo-facilities for freezing specimens in storage.
 Solving the world's problems together
The centre will be a hub for international research, where data about life on Earth can be shared to solve issues like climate change, food supply and pandemics.
It will aim to be net-zero carbon in operation, with measures to reduce energy and water use as well as natural features to attract insects, birds and bats.
This is important for us, as we've declared a climate emergency and our emerging planning policies require all development to aim for net-zero.
New development is also required to provide more habitats for wildlife, either on site or elsewhere, to increase biodiversity.
We gave planning permission for the centre in 2024 as part of Thames Valley Science Park, which we planned in partnership with the University of Reading.
The science park is part of a wider, developer-funded infrastructure package that accompanies new housing in Shinfield parish.
 A look ahead to the coming years
The finished centre will house everything from tiny water bears that can survive in outer space to the fossilised remains of whales.
Relocating this to Shinfield is expected to start in 2028 and this will be one of the biggest moves of its kind.
The project is funded by a £201million investment from the Government and will pave the way for improvements at the museum's South Kensington site.
This includes the reopening of two galleries that shut in 1948 and 2004, opening up 16 per cent more gallery space to the public.
The University of Reading is also committed to addressing major global issues and will be working with the museum as the project moves forward.
Did you know that the British Museum also has an archaeological research centre at Thames Valley Science Park? Keep an eye on this newsletter for a spotlight on that - as well as any updates on the nearby Shinfield Studios, which has already hosted a slew of major international productions!
 What are your everyday travel habits?
If you live in Shinfield Parish’s major development, we’d like you to tell us about how you get around each day.
Do you drive everywhere? Or walk or cycle? Do you catch the bus or train? Or a mixture of everything? However you travel, we want to hear from you.
Your answers will help us understand how we can make travel around your community easier, and will also help us plan major developments better in future.
After taking our survey, you can enter a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher. The survey’s open until Sunday 28 September. Good luck!
Following the opening of Ryeish Green Sports Hub, which is part of the new amenities that were provided to this community, Shinfield Parish Council wants to hear residents' views on the future of the old Eighties sports pavilion before 31 October. It says it is now under-used and a surplus asset.
 Image: Shinfield Parish Council (click to enlarge)
Artwork will bring colour to community centre
Shinfield Parish Council has teamed up with Arts4Wokingham to provide a new public artwork outside the School Green community centre.
It is seeking expressions of interests from artists with previous experience of creating public art, and is involving the community in the selection process.
It's hoped that a winning design will be chosen by next spring, with the completed sculpture to be unveiled in May 2027.
Artists are being asked to create a piece that reflects the parish's identity and is robust, sustainable and visually impactful even at night.
The parish council will underwrite the cost if needed, with 20 per cent already secured from developer contributions.
The School Green centre, which opened in autumn 2021, was also secured through agreements linked to new development in the parish.
Did you know there's also a community cinema at the School Green Centre? Check out the website for the latest timetable, which includes relaxed screenings with low lighting, lower volumes and more.
 New school cleared, but awaiting decision to build
A detailed planning application for a new primary school in Spencers Wood, to be funded by developer contributions, has just been approved.
The school, which already had outline consent as part of our wider vision for the new community at Shinfield, could be based off Fullbrook Avenue and Hyde End Lane.
However, although permission has been granted, we haven't yet decided whether we're going to build the school as this depends on local demand.
If it goes ahead, it will have a single form of entry and capacity for up to 210 pupils, plus 30 nursery places and provision for certain special educational needs.
It will have sports facilities, a hall, play areas and more, and wider community uses for these will be considered.
Should there be further need for places in future, this would be dealt with by a separate, full planning application.
We'll keep you posted in this newsletter if there's a decision to go ahead.
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