The green grass of your new communities

We’re making sure the major new developments being built across the Borough are accompanied by the right infrastructure and amenities. Vast areas of open space are being opened up for the first time, giving people new opportunities to stay fit and healthy and have fun.

All of the major new developments being built must have newly-opened public open space such as nature parks, play areas or more traditional parks. The developers building these homes must also make financial contributions to our country parks, Dinton Pastures and California Country Park.

So far some 110 hectares of nature parks, play areas and parks have been opened directly because of the major developments at the former Arborfield Garrison, in Shinfield, and in north and south Wokingham. This is the equivalent to about 150 football pitches.

Langley Mead

And there’s a further 130 hectares (some 180 football pitches) still to come. This is all brand new public open space – land that was private before but is now open to the public for everyone to enjoy.

There will be some 40 new children’s play areas built because of the major developments, and more than 400 allotment plots as well.

As well as these play areas and informal public open space, we have opened new public leisure centres at Arborfield and Ryeish Green (see page 23) and are about to start construction on a new Bulmershe Leisure Centre (see page 23).

Arborfield Leisure Centre

This is all part of the almost £1billion investment in roads, schools, community centres, and sports facilities - infrastructure being funded by developers alongside the new homes they’re building.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘major developments’)