This pages links to various extracts from books obtained from the local library describing our local history.

Badgers Farms and Cutbush Lane photos

Origin of the name Shinfield

If you have any old photos or other information reading Shinfield past then please email them to chris.

SAVE OUR SHINFIELD

This is the rallying cry of the Shinfield Residents Action Group

The group was formed in February of 2005 by Hollow Lane residents who had grown tired of waiting for the promised individual consultation on the proposed A327/Brookers Hill/Hollow Lane/Cutbush Lane highway improvements and saw that the work on the junction was starting. They were also concerned at the increasing pace of development within the Village without consideration of the impact o the character and infrastructure of the Village

The Aims of the Shinfield Residents Action Group are:-

1. Any development within the Village, and we accept that some is inevitable should reflect the character of the Village.
2. Commercial and Political consideration must not be allowed to override the wishes of the residents.
3. Councillors are elected by the residents and should be accountable to the residents all the time, not just when there is an election
4. Provide a Village perspective to current and future plans for the Village
5. Maintain Shinfield as a welcoming and safe place to live.

The catalyst for the Group was the destruction of the 200+ year old oak tree at Lane End Farm.

We succeeded in having all work stopped on the junction for three and a half months. NOW THE OAK TREE IS GONE, but as promised, WE ARE NOT!

What's left of the Oak Tree

The plans for the Village and the road junction had been in the Public domain for nearly 10 years, however it is very difficult to track down the latest planning permission or to get hold of the latest agreed plans.

The Village were invited to attend a number of Public Meetings where concerns WERE stated not just on the safety of the road junction but the destruction of Shinfield Village by the imposition of housing development without the infrastructure to support the influx of people into the Village.

We were assured that our views would be taken into consideration and affected residents were told they would be fully consulted BEFORE the plans for any highway improvements had been finalised. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN.

Wokingham Borough Council, together with the University Of Reading and David Wilson Homes, constructed a five lane traffic-light controlled highway at the junction of the A327 / Hollow Lane / Brookers Hill / Cutbush Lane, at a cost in excess of £1 million

We have seen what has happened at the new ‘Black Boy Roundabout’. There has already been one fatality, one vehicle through the fence and a number of minor shunts and road rage incidents. This roundabout has the same “two lanes merging to one exit layout” that is proposed in Hollow Lane.

As a Group we accept that traffic levels are increasing across the Region. But we considered the proposed junction changes to be “over the Top”. Traffic signals on the existing junctions with provision for turning right would be a perfectly acceptable solution and would not cost £1 million

As a resident of Shinfield you should be aware of the development, both private housing and commercial, that is NOW happening and what is planned for the future!

Following the cancellation of the development of 2,500 houses at Grazeley, Shinfield has been targeted as an area for development. There is no OVERAL plan for this development, NO infrastructure such as schools, doctors’ surgery, dentist, shops, public transport, playing areas/fields etc. is to be put in place. It is piecemeal development.

We successfully fought off the proposal by UoR for an eastern relief road for Shinfield but it is back as part of the current plans for the Science and Innovation Park off Cutbush Lane.

Wokingham Borough Council have now completed the Core Strategy. This proposes a further 2,500 houses in the Parish and a Science and Innovation Park. Reading University (UoR) would like to build these houses in Shinfield Village and the Science Park off Cutbush Lane.

We would like your views and comments on the future of Shinfield Village and there are a number of ways in which you can add your support.

PLEASE REMEMBER
IT IS YOUR VILLAGE AND YOU CAN HAVE A SAY IN WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR CHILDREN.