A new supermarket in Arborfield Green is one step closer after Wokingham Borough Council approved outline planning consent last week.
The application for agents acting on behalf of Sainsbury’s for land at Nine Mile Ride extension related to matters including access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the planned retail unit.
The application received a large number of supportive comments from local residents.
Cllr Lindsay Ferris, executive member for planning and local plan, said: “We’re pleased to be announcing further progress on shops and other amenities in this area, which we know are long-awaited so we’re thankful for residents’ patience.
“The Sainsbury’s store, in particular, will make it easier for people to pick up a range of purchases without driving or ordering online deliveries, both of which result in more emissions.
“It’s cheaper and healthier to walk, cycle or take the bus, as well as being better for the environment, and we strongly encourage new development to promote this as much as possible.
“Following a period of unfortunate delay, caused partly by the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on retail nationally, we’ll continue working closely with everyone involved to ensure the district centre takes shape as quickly as it can.”
The site is near a bus stop served by the Leopard 3 to Reading and Wokingham town, and there would be covered cycle storage plus electric vehicle bays with charge points.
The building will have environmentally friendly features like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, dimmable outdoor LED lights and more.
It will complement the Co-op food store at the former Bramshill Hunt pub, off Bramshill Close, which opened in 2021, and is the only other food store in the area.
The decision was made on Friday, February 23.
