Blog

 

 

I’m delighted to share an exciting project that I have been working on over the past few months.

 

Keep Emmer Green (KEG) invited me to help them develop their vision to transform the former Reading Golf Course, which they have been campaigning to save from housing development, into a resource for nature and local people.

 

I came up with the idea of converting the already leafy disused golf course into a community arboretum, which they loved. I then worked alongside KEG and other local groups to refine the concept for Grove Arboretum. This 100-acre woodland would preserve and enhance the space and create a green lung for Reading, benefiting the health and well-being of the local community and supporting biodiversity.

 

As well as being a peaceful place to visit, the arboretum would provide a setting for a wealth of cultural and leisure activities and more. It would incorporate:

 

  • a café and restaurant, offering a community fridge

  • workspaces and studios

  • a play area for children of all ages and a trim trail for adults

  • space for outdoor productions and events

  • a community orchard and a sensory garden

 

Read the full report detailing the proposal

 

The KEG team would love to hear your views – you can share your thoughts here.  

 

Photo credit: Aaron Burden