Top five stories of the week in Bracknell

1. Wokingham named the fourth happiest town to live in the UK

A Berkshire town has been ranked the fourth happiest place to live in the UK this year.

Rightmove’s 12th annual ‘Happy at Home Index’ asked more than 26,000 people across Britain about various aspects of where they live including transport links, a sense of community, and greenspaces.

In the study, Wokingham finished fourth place, below Richmond upon Thames, Winchester, and Monmorth.

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2. More new houses proposed between Bracknell and Wokingham

Countryside concerns have been raised as developers bid to build 10 more new houses on a site already facing major development between Bracknell and Wokingham.

Wilson Developments wants to build homes in Binfield, which is part of Bracknell Forest. But it would be directly opposite another planned development in Wokingham Borough on the opposite side of London Road.

Under the plans submitted to Bracknell Forest Council, the cluster of homes would sit in between the London Road dual carriageway and a slip road at Amen Corner.

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3. Bracknell bins cut and streetlights dimmed in cost-cutting plans

Street lights will be dimmer, grass left to grow longer, and the number of public litter bins cut by half across Bracknell Forest as part of proposed cost saving measures next year.

Bracknell Forest Council leaders agreed to the proposals as part of draft spending plans that council leader Mary Temperton branded a ‘hard budget.’

And councilor Kathryn Neil – in charge of finance – said the council had ‘tough choices to make,’ adding: “This is not where we would like to be.”

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4. Wellington College named one of the best boarding schools in UK

A top Berkshire school has been named one of the best boarding schools in the UK in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2024.

Set in 400 acres of the Bracknell Forest countryside, Wellington College is one of the first schools to establish a Mandarin Centre and embrace mindfulness in its curriculum.

The independent school serving students aged 13 to 18 has secured its highest ranking ever in the school’s history.

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5. Bracknell parking: more plans to replace grass verges

Grass verges could be scrapped in favour of new parking spaces in Great Hollands if councillors sign off on the plans.

Bracknell Forest Council wants to build two separate blocks of three spaces each on patches of grass near the entrance to Holland Pines, just off Great Hollands Road. But members of the council’s planning committee will first have to give their approval.

Council staff says councillors should approve the plans. They say that as the spaces are proposed in a built up area near other parking bays, they wouldn’t have a negative impact on the area. Staff also say that hedges are proposed to soften the impact on the area.

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