Berkshire weekly round-up: 23 March - 29 March 2024

The Princess of Wales grew up in Bucklebury in Berkshire

An outpouring of support for the Princess of Wales after she announced her treatment for cancer was among our most read stories this week in Berkshire.

A variety of local issues were featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Berkshire and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

Tony Blackburn says goodbye to BBC local radio

Veteran radio DJ Tony Blackburn presented his final BBC local radio show.

The 81-year-old said he had decided to leave his Sunday show on BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio Solent to pursue other projects.

He told listeners his years on BBC local stations, which began in 1981, had been a pleasure.

The DJ, who recently received an OBE medal, will concentrate on his BBC Radio 2 shows and theatre tour.

The new-build dreams turning into nightmares

Gabriel and Lauren Pisani said they did not feel safe leaving their two children in some of the rooms in their house

For many people, moving into a new-build home is a dream come true, but for some it turns into a nightmare.

Newly-weds Gabriel and Lauren Pisani bought their family home in Reading last February.

The oven, freezer and plumbing in the kitchen were faulty on the day they moved in, and more than a year later they are still finding problems.

Developer Taylor Wimpey said it was "committed to providing homes and customer service to the very highest standard and we are sorry that these customers have experienced problems with their property".

Sympathy for Catherine after cancer announcement

The Princess of Wales recorded a video message where she announced she is undergoing cancer treatment

Messages of support for the Princess of Wales came in from across Berkshire after she announced her treatment for cancer.

In a video statement, Catherine described her diagnosis as a "huge shock".

She said she has been undergoing preventative chemotherapy, after tests revealed the cancer following abdominal surgery in January.

Across the royal county, where the princess grew up and lives with her family, people expressed their sympathy.

Swimming pools set for summer opening

The pool has two spectator seating areas able to seat more than 250 people

Work has started to fill two new swimming pools with water at a leisure facility.

It was expected to take 12 days to fill the pools at Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading with about 1,700,000 litres of water.

Its gym, studios and soft play area were opened in July 2023.

The 25m main pool, the teaching and diving pool and the new splash pad will be ready for use in the summer, Reading Borough Council said.

Up to 1,000 homes approved after planning reversal

Developer Aviva wants to build high-rise flats near Reading railway station

The government has approved plans to build business premises and up to 1,000 homes on a retail park, overturning a planning inspector's recommendation.

Finance firm Aviva applied in 2020 to redevelop The Station Shopping Park in Reading.

The inspector recommended refusal following a public inquiry, saying the development would harm the landscape.

However, Communities Secretary Michael Gove said the proposed high-rise buildings were acceptable.

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