Kennet Island

Kennet Island is a large neighbourhood of over 1,350 new homes and apartments[1] in Reading, Berkshire, England. It has been constructed on open fields, commencing in 2005 by The Berkeley Homes Group[2] with completion in 2019. Located halfway between Reading town centre and the M4 motorway. It incorporated watercourses for aesthetics by engineering new channels for the canalised Kennet which has its catchment in rural south-west Berkshire and east Wiltshire.

Kennet Island

Sunset at Kennet Island's 'Piazza'
Kennet Island
Location within Berkshire
OS grid referenceSU 71321 70709
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townREADING
Postcode districtRG2
Dialling code0118
PoliceThames Valley
FireRoyal Berkshire
AmbulanceSouth Central
UK Parliament
Websitewww.kennetislandreading.co.uk

History

Kennet Island's homes developed by St James' Homes, part of Berkeley Group and the first properties were sold early 2007. Plans included a traffic circle allowing easier access from the A33 dual-carriageway onto the estate itself. The Kennet Island development continued to be financially successful for Berkeley Group during the 2008 recession.[3]

The development saw three phases, the last coinciding with an expansion of Prudential plc building offices in a nearby estate.[4]

Many homes have been available under a Government-backed initiative: My Choice Homebuy and Part Ownership Scheme aimed at giving first-time buyers a chance to get on the property ladder. There are three Housing Associations managing the social housing and part ownership housing in the Kennet Island Development; Radian[5], Metropolitan Thames Valley[6] & Sovereign[7].

Amenities

Kennet Island has a central Piazza, including social meeting locations, seating and water features. Located around the Central Piazza are a range of local businesses, including; Fidget & Bob[8] a locally run cafe and bar, a local shop and convenience store, Hallmark Property Management's office[9] for the management of the Kennet Island Development, a Little Kingdom child day care and nursery[10] and meeting point room.

Kennet Island is also home to larger businesses, including; Hilton[11] international chain hotel and The Circle Hospital a predominantly private hospital, however they do accept NHS referrals, and finally the Cooper BMW[12] offices and dealership.

Adjoining Kennet Island, as part of the landscaping of the development, is a series of ponds & a Nature Reserve with viewing pier and the Kennet Valley path leading into the Reading town centre along the river side.[13]

Governance

The estate's local government authority is Reading Borough Council and forms part of the electoral ward of Whitley and is separated from the bulk of Whitley by a green buffer. It is not an island.

In national politics this ward is part of Reading West (UK Parliament constituency).

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References
  1. "Kennet Island, Homes & Apartments in Reading". Berkeley Group. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  2. "Kennet Island, Homes & Apartments in Reading". Berkeley Group. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  3. "Berkeley reassured by cash strength". Press Association. 5 December 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  4. Bunce, Alan; Adam Hewitt (12 December 2008). "Speedway demise could help football fans". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  5. "Home Page". Radian. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  6. "Thames Valley Housing". www.tvha.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  7. "Sovereign Housing".
  8. "Fidget and Bob All-Day Cafe Bar". Fidget & Bob. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  9. "Home | Hallmark". www.hallmarkpml.com. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  10. "Little Kingdom Daycare Daycare in Reading". littlekingdomdaycare. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  11. "Hilton Reading". Hilton. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  12. "Official BMW Dealership Reading | Cooper BMW part of Inchcape". Inchcape. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  13. www.kennetislandreading.co.uk
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