The Whiteknights Campus Development Plan
We have been working with a team of consultants since 2006 to prepare a comprehensive Development Plan for the Whiteknights Campus. The University has now finalised this plan following extensive consultation.
The Development Plan sets out proposals for a number of important development projects in the next ten years which will strengthen the University's reputation as an international centre of educational excellence. It was submitted to Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils in August 2008 to provide the contextual background to individual planning applications.
A Public Consultation Responses report, detailing the feedback received during the consultation accompanies the finalised plan.
In addition, accompanying the Development Plan are a number of supplementary documents including a Sustainability Appraisal Report, Transport Assessment, and an Environmental Statement. All of the documents can be viewed on the University's Facilities Management website or hard copies are available to view on request by contacting Rhiannon Vaughan 0118 378 8300.
In August 2008, the University submitted the first planning application to Wokingham Borough Council, emanating from the Development Plan, for pedestrian, cyclist and three short sections of single-carriageway service route to improve internal connections on the campus. This includes a new cross-campus route over the lake on the site of the current Friends Bridge, which is designed with limited vehicle access only and includes a public footpath. The creation of a lake crossing is central to the successful delivery of the University's Catering Strategy and aspiration to attract improved public transport penetration through the Campus – it will be of sufficient width to accommodate a public bus and public footpath. The final chosen location of the bridge reflects the results of a number of environmental surveys and feedback from the consultation process.
A further planning application to both Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils for the first phase of Halls Redevelopment, subject to a public consultation in July 2008, is due for submission in September 2008. The exhibition showing the proposals for the Halls was visited in person by 170 people and all current students were e-mailed with an on-line link to the exhibition inviting their response to the plans. We would like to thank all those who took the trouble to respond in person or electronically. That feedback is being considered in the final stages leading to the forthcoming planning application and will shortly be made available here for viewing.