Natural History Museum consults on move to Reading
Museum is due to submit planning application later this year
Last updated 11th Sep 2023
Residents living near to the Thames Valley Science Park can share their views on the Natural History Museum's proposals for a new research centre in Shinfield this week.
The museum intends to submit a planning application to Wokingham Borough Council later this year, most likely November, so it is holding an information event on Thursday (14 September) to display its plans and ask what people think.
Kathryn Packer, NHM Unlocked Programme Director, said:
"The Natural History Museum is thrilled to be engaging with the local community in Shinfield ahead of our full planning application. This is a special opportunity for locals to find out more about the planned collections, science and digitisation centre directly from Museum staff. As a bonus, residents can also get up close to examples of the types of specimens we’ll be moving – from an elephant tooth to a fossilised whale ear bone – demonstrating the magnificent breadth of our collection and research."
The event is at the Gateway Building (1 Collegiate Square, RG2 9LH) across two sessions: one from 3.30pm to 4.45pm and another from 6.15pm to 8pm.
What's moving to Reading?
The Museum’s new science and digitisation centre will be dedicated to widening access to vital scientific information and developing novel analytical technologies to understand changing natural diversity.
The centre will be based at Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield near Reading. The Science Park is owned and run by the University of Reading, and the Museum say they are delighted to be entering into a partnership with another organisation that has environmental research and education at the core of its mission.
The 28 million specimens due to be housed at the centre will sit alongside innovative digital, analytical and genomic technologies and facilities.
The centre will enable Museum scientists, visiting researchers, partners and collaborators around the world to address urgent questions and develop new solutions to global challenges; from tracking genetic responses to climate change, to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.
The acceleration of digitisation will enable global access to the collections, transforming research capability and impact.