ARBORFIELD Green’s long wait for proposed community amenities is set to end after Wokingham Borough Council gave plans the go-ahead.
A planning application for a new district centre, which features shops, green space, a pub, community centre, playground and allotments, off Nine Mile Ride Extension was unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee on October 11.
Set to cover a 10.6-hectare plot north and west of Bohunt School and Arborfield Green Leisure Centre, the facilities will serve the new community living on the former Arborfield Garrison site.
Developer Crest Nicholson plans to start work in 2024. Once roads, footpaths and utilities are in place, the next phase will see more than half the 18 commercial units set up.
Cllr Lindsay Ferris, executive member for planning and local plan, said: “We’re really pleased to have reached this point, as we’re sure residents are, and will continue to do all we can to ensure the new district centre comes forward in a timely manner.
“We know there has been frustration at the delays, due to factors beyond our control like Covid and economic conditions, so we do thank residents for their continued patience as we worked with Crest to progress this as quickly as possible.
“With the finer points of this scheme revised based on people’s comments, the finished build should make a huge improvement to daily life in this community and meet people’s daily shopping needs closer to home.
“As well as meeting our goal of enriching residents’ lives, the completed district centre will reduce the need for car travel or supermarket deliveries and increase opportunities for active travel. In turn, this helps people live more healthily while reducing air pollution, carbon emissions and traffic congestion.”
The new district centre will include a pedestrianised high street with a public square and 18 new commercial units, along with space for a pre-school and a nursery.
There will also be 206 new homes, roughly half of which will be houses and the other half flats, as well as affordable homes.
The supermarket, which Sainsbury’s wants to run as a “neighbourhood hub” store, which offers an additional click and collect service so it can provide a wider range of products. This is subject to contract and a separate planning application.
Building is estimated to take three years to finish, but first shops are likely to open about a year-and-a-half after building starts.
Crest is also preparing updated drawings for new sports facilities at Arborfield Green, following residents’ feedback and independent design guidance, which are expected to be submitted to the council soon.
Bohunt School is set to expand with a new 300 place Sixth Form and 150 additional places for younger pupils after the council recently agreed to increase its financial contribution to the project.
