Kennet Island
| Kennet Island | |
 Sunset at Kennet Island's 'Piazza' |
|
  Kennet Island |
|
| OS grid reference | SU 71321 70709 |
|---|---|
| Unitary authority | Reading |
| Ceremonial county | Berkshire |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | READING |
| Postcode district | RG2 |
| Dialling code | 0118 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Royal Berkshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Reading West |
| Website | http://kennet-island.org |
Coordinates: 51°25′51″N 0°58′31″W / 51.4309°N 0.9754°W
Kennet Island is a neighbourhood in Reading, Berkshire, England. It is being constructed on open fields in the nine years commencing in 2005 and is 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.
History
Many homes have been available under a Government-backed initiative: My Choice Homebuy, aimed at giving first-time buyers a chance to get on the property ladder.
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.[1]
The development saw three phases, the last coinciding with an expansion of Prudential plc building offices in a nearby estate.[2]
Amenities
In café culture, shopping and small business services Kennet Island has The Piazza, a central square that includes water features. The area includes a gym, international chain hotel and Circle Hospital. Adjoining is a Nature Reserve and the Kennet Valley path.[3]
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 dual carriageway and a green buffer.
In national politics this ward is part of Reading West (UK Parliament constituency).
References
- ↑ "Berkeley reassured by cash strength". Press Association. 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
- ↑ Bunce, Alan; Adam Hewitt (2008-12-12). "Speedway demise could help football fans". Retrieved 2008-12-14.
- ↑ Kennet Island website Retrieved 2013-11-30
External links
Media related to Kennet Island at Wikimedia Commons- Kennet Island Residents Association