University Challenge!!

How well do you think Reading University are rising to the challenge?

Here are a few questions that seem to be taxing the combined IQ of the team, what do you think?

Question 1 – Starter for 10. Reading University has sold large expanses of local farmland around the Shinfield and Arborfield area for housing and commercial development over the past 10 years.

How does this align with their much-publicised Ecology and Wildlife Conservation BSC aims?

And for bonus points:

How many trees have been lost? How many miles of hedgerow destroyed?

How much green space have we lost forever?

Question 2 – Starter for 10.

The Reading University has sold (??? See above) hectares of local working farmland for housing and commercial development.

How does this align with their stated agricultural aims of sustainable food production, biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and food security?

And for bonus points:

How many local working farms are no longer viable?

How many local agricultural jobs have been lost?

What volume of crops are no longer grown locally?

Question 3 – Starter for 10. Reading University has sold land for various developments stating that they will bring with them local employment.

How successful has this been? And for bonus points:

How many local construction workers (15-mile radius) have been utilised in the Shinfield and Arborfield area?

How many Science Park jobs are currently undertaken by people in the local Shinfield and Arborfield area (5 miles)?

How many local jobs (5-mile radius) will be guaranteed by the new Film Studios?

Question 4. Starter for 10.

Reading University in conjunction with Wokingham BC have made numerous promises to provide community amenities as part of the development approvals.

Have these promises been fulfilled and how is this measured?

And for bonus points:

Where is the Shinfield supermarket?

Where are the promised sports/ playing fields and supporting pavilion?

Will the community ever get the Cinema, promised as part of the Film Studio development?

Finally, the BIG questions.

Reading University have continuously stated that they want to work with residents and listen to their concerns.

Have Reading University met that challenge?

Can local Shinfield and Arborfield residents trust the University of Reading?

Mark Chatfield, Shinfield