Housing complete as final part of town centre regeneration

Construction of 55 apartments in Wokingham town centre has been completed. Carnival Place, which has a mix of one and two-bedroom accommodation, has now been finished by Feltham Construction.

Carnival Place sits opposite the Carnival Hub in Wellington Road, which opened in the summer of 2022 and is home to Wokingham Leisure Centre and Wokingham Library. The homes are now for sale on the open market through local agents Hat and Home, based at Alexandra Court.

The building is sustainable and energy efficient, as well as providing a town centre location with good transport links. Final landscaping work around the area is due to be finished in the months ahead.

High-quality, energy-efficient homes

Stephen Conway, leader of the council and executive member for housing, partnerships and the local plan, said: “The completion of Carnival Place marks a significant milestone in our town centre regeneration journey. 

“These high-quality, energy-efficient homes not only reflect our commitment to sustainable development but also provide much-needed housing in the heart of Wokingham. 

“Despite the challenges faced along the way, I’m proud of the resilience shown by our team and partners to deliver a scheme that complements the success of the Carnival Hub and enhances our vibrant community.”

David Yates, director at Feltham Construction, said: “We are pleased to have continued our working relationship with Wokingham Borough Council and delighted to have contributed to the completion of the 55 apartment scheme and the wider regeneration of the area.”

Following on from the successes of Peach Place, Elms Field and Carnival Hub, the Carnival Place residential scheme forms the last phase of the council’s wider regeneration programme that has helped to transform the town centre.

The regeneration, first agreed in 2010, has improved the range of facilities, businesses and public spaces in Wokingham, as well as creating jobs, key worker homes and improved biodiversity. 

Hundreds of homes have been added as part of the project, allowing residents to live in a sustainable environment and support the establishment of a vibrant town centre community.

Wokingham’s regeneration has won numerous awards, including the Royal Town Planning Institute’s award for Excellence in Planning a Sustainable Economy in 2020 and a ULI Europe Award for Excellence in 2021.

The commercial units across Wokingham town centre are being used to generate an ongoing income of circa £2.8m per year, which will rise significantly as the costs of construction are paid off, and this can be used to fund essential services across the borough.