Five top stories in Bracknell this week

1. Ofsted: Outstanding secondary schools in Bracknell and Wokingham

Hundreds of primary school students across Bracknell Forest and Wokingham are set to start the process of applying to secondary school. 

As today (October 31) is the deadline for students to pick their top choices we have put together a list of the best schools in Bracknell and surrounding areas, according the Ofsted.

The education watchdogs use a four-level rating system: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate.

Read full story here 

2. ‘Village feel’ is being destroyed by Barkham Ride housing

Hundreds of primary school students across Bracknell Forest and Wokingham are set to start the process of applying to secondary school. 

As today (October 31) is the deadline for students to pick their top choices we have put together a list of the best schools in Bracknell and surrounding areas, according the Ofsted.

The education watchdogs use a four-level rating system: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate.

Read full story here 

3. Bracknell's The Lexicon bans children's book hunt

A woman, who regularly hides books in public places with her daughter, was reprimanded by The Lexicon in Bracknell after hiding books around the shopping complex.

Staff at The Lexicon removed the books and told the woman, who has asked not to be named, that she must get prior permission before gifting books in public spaces.

In a Facebook post, she wrote “I am hoping to retrieve the books from the lexicon to gift elsewhere. Keen to do a book hunt as it’s so magical for young children.”

Read full story here 

4. Fears Ascot home will become Airbnb-style holiday letting

A proposed house extension could pave the way for an ‘Airbnb’-style holiday home or large rented house, worried neighbours fear. But its new owner insists it will be a family home.

The new owners of a house on Darwall Drive in Ascot want planning permission from Bracknell Forest Council to convert it into a four-bed property.

But neighbours have said the extension would overlook and overshadow nearby houses. And some worry that the owners aim to use the house as a “house of multiple occupation” (HMO) – where rooms are let to several tenants – or as a holiday letting.

Read full story here 

5. Winnersh Triangle park and ride to return, council confirms

A much-missed park-and-ride bus service into Reading is to be brought back temporarily, it has been confirmed – but its long-term future depends on how many people use it.

Wokingham Borough Council is to use a government grant to reinstate the Winnersh Triangle Park and Ride service on a trial basis after it was suspended in 2019 and never brought back.

The money will also be used to open a park-and-ride car park at Coppid Beech, which could be used by people catching the Lion4/X4 service on the A329 Reading Road.

Read full story here