New district centre approved near Reading
Scheme involves shops and a building for use by the community
Long-awaited proposals for shops and green space along with a pub, community centre, playground, allotments and other amenities in Arborfield Green have been give the go ahead.
Wokingham Borough Council planning committee unanimously approved the scheme, to be built on a 10.6-hectare plot near Bohunt School and the leisure centre. It will serve the new community being built on the former Arborfield Garrison site.
The district centre will include a pedestrianised high street and public square and 18 commercial units, plus space for a pre-school, a day nursery, public house and community building.
There’ll be 206 new homes, including affordable ones, and the centre is set to include a supermarket which Sainsbury’s wants to run. This is subject to contract and a separate planning application, expected soon.
Building will take about three years but the first shops should open about 18 months after work starts.