 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
The 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.
You can see more photos online or take a virtual video tour.
The centre will house 28 million items including mammals, invertebrates, fossils and genetic material, with equipment including DNA labs and frozen storage.
It’ll 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 plus natural features to attract insects, birds and bats.
We gave planning permission in 2024 and it’s part of Thames Valley Science Park, which we planned in partnership with the University of Reading. You can read more about it in our latest Shinfield community newsletter.
 Land sale to provide homes and boost finances
The 7.7-hectare plot off Twyford Road, known as Toutley East, could be developed for up to 160 homes for local people - including those in greatest need.
Outline permission was granted in 2022 for up to 130 homes and a 68-bed dementia care home.
About 67 homes could be affordable and could include specialist units for adult social care users or young care leavers. The new homes would have to meet high energy efficiency standards, in line with our climate goals.
Subject to planning permission, the scheme would count towards our housing targets as part of the North Wokingham major development.
Our decision-making executive will decide whether to progress the sale at a meeting tomorrow (Thursday 18 September).
 Town centres' stories brought to life
We’ve launched a series of profiles of local people and their businesses to shine a light on the borough’s high streets.
There’s the story behind some of Twyford, Wokingham and Woodley’s traders, volunteers and community champions.
You can find out more about 14 different stores from across the area, including what brought each to its high street and what they love about it.
 Select the image to watch the video
Discovering reedbeds with our countryside team
We’ve been on a countryside side quest to Loddon Park in Woodley with Simon, our countryside officer, to uncover the secrets of reedbeds in Wokingham Borough and why they matter more than you might think.
These lush wetland habitats help clean our water, support local wildlife and play a role in tackling climate change by storing carbon and reducing flood risk.
Watch the video to explore these natural wonders and learn how we’re working to protect and expand them for future generations.
 Next phase of roundabout work has begun
The next phase of our roundabout improvement project at the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road in Wokingham has begun. This is part of theSouth Wokingham Distributor Road project.
The eastern end of Molly Millars Lane is now open and traffic can flow between there and the southern approach to the junction on Finchampstead Road.
The northern entrance, heading towards Tesco, is now closed and we expect this phase will run until early next year. Diversions are in place, but pedestrian access is being maintained under the railway bridge.
Upgrading the existing mini-roundabout to a much larger one will improve traffic flows in the area and support the wider development coming to South Wokingham.
 Have your say on the Charvil Neigbourhood Plan
We’re asking for your views on Charvil’s draft neighbourhood plan.
The plan has been prepared by Charvil Parish Council with input from the local community.
It sets out how development in the area should take place in the years ahead, making sure it reflects residents’ aspirations and protects what makes Charvil special.
It includes policies on community facilities, affordable housing and mix, design, the natural and historic environment, and sustainable construction.
You can read the draft plan and give your feedback on our Engage Wokingham Borough platform by 5pm on Monday 13 October.
 Select the image to play the video
How we look after your roads
We've finished our planned surface dressing work for 2025/26.
These treatments prevent minor issues with roads from becoming more serious, and make them more skid-resistant while extending their life.
We've filmed some of this year's programme to help you understand the different ways that we look after our roads, and why we use them.
Find out more about our annual road and footway maintenance programme, and the different types of road or footway damage that we deal with.
 Creative Cali welcomes first new shoppers
A talented young artist was special guest at the opening of Sainsbury's new store in Arborfield Green.
Cali, 10, in Year 5 at Farley Hill Primary School, cut the ceremonial ribbon at 9am on Thursday, 21 August.
She won a competition to design a shopping bag for the branch, which featured smiling fruit and veg and was given free to customers.
The store was built by developers under a legal agreement linked to new housebuilding at the former Arborfield Garrison.
It has heat recovery systems, rainwater harvesting and rooftop solar panels, in line with our sustainability requirements for new development.
There are 75 staff, including 60 new recruits living locally - 45 of whom joined after a recruitment event that we helped organise.
Looking ahead to meet the community's needs
The new store is part of a wider proposal for a district centre at Arborfield Green, which developers are required to provide.
Taylor Wimpey has started work on the project, which will have 18 shops, 206 new houses and flats, pedestrianised areas and more.
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