New Thatcham Library part of wider regeneration plan for Brownsfield Road site

A new library for Thatcham is part of a wider regeneration plan for Brownsfield Road.

West Berkshire Council has allocated £1.2m in its budget for next year for a new build under ‘Thatcham Library’.

But the library isn’t the only facility that is earmarked for some attention.

The entire Brownsfield Road site will be regenerated to create a community hub of enhanced facilities.

This comprises the medical centre, library, town council office, memorial hall, bowls club, tennis courts, Scout hut, cricket club and Walnut Close.

Though the plans are not set in stone, it is hoped all of the facilities will get an upgrade.

The community hub is hoped to cover all ground, from being a sports hub and also a meeting hub for shopping and educational services.

And even just a meeting place for a cup of coffee.

The need for infrastructure amid plans for extra housing in the district Local Plan, was a driving force for the ambitious idea.

West Berkshire Council portfolio holder for finance and corporate servicesand Thatcham town councillor Iain Cottingham (Thatcham Central) said: “We have extra housing coming along.

“For the growth of Thatcham we do need a new medical centre that is fit for purpose.

“On top of that, if you look at the Scout hut and the bowls club along with the town council office and the cricket club and the memorial hall, all those buildings are 1970s.”

There is currently no plan on paper but Mr Cottingham said that it is hoped it will be designed by the community and will focus on what they want.