Progress continues at Carnival residential scheme

Carnival Place, Wokingham Borough Council’s residential scheme, is continuing to take shape since work resumed in the summer.

The council is working with Feltham Construction to see the project through to completion, delivering 55 high-quality and affordable apartments as part of the wider regeneration of Wokingham town.

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 project features a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments, with a view to delivering energy-efficient accommodation in the town centre. The apartments are due to be completed by the middle of 2025.

Feltham Construction, a Newbury-based firm with more than 50 years of experience, was appointed in June after the previous contractor went into administration.

Apartments will be completed in stages, starting with those on the top floor of the three-storey building. The current project phase focuses on internal works, including the installation of partition walls, which marks a significant stage in the development. Work is also underway on the mechanical and electrical systems for the building.

Starting to take shape

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey: “Although residents may not immediately see any visual signs of progress being made at Carnival Place, we can assure you that we are moving forward and it is really exciting to see things take shape. 

"There have been some unavoidable bumps along the way in this project – with previous contractors going into administration – but that journey will have been worth it to see the finished product and the role it will play alongside the rest of the regeneration.

“We are delighted to be working with Feltham Construction, which has a strong track record for working with local authorities on major projects.”

Next month will see progress made on the external works, with the installation of Juliet balconies, which will add a distinctive architectural feature and enhance the visual appeal and functionality of the apartments. 

David Yates, director at Feltham Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wokingham Borough Council on the Carnival Place residential scheme, to complete the last piece of the Wokingham town centre regeneration and bring 55 high-standard, desirable apartments to completion.

“The contemporary building design continues the architectural theme of the town centre, incorporates a full-height atrium and benefits from renewable energy sources, sustainable drainage and extensive soft landscaping that will provide sustainable, energy-efficient homes at the heart of the town centre regeneration.

“As a Wokingham resident for many years, it will be a pleasure to help finally complete this worthy project and allow the full benefit of the regeneration to be enjoyed by the town’s residents.”

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.

Properties will be available through appointed agents as and when they are put on the market and more details will be made available when this has been confirmed.