New Natural History Museum Facility Takes Shape

A huge new facility south of the M4 near Reading is being built to house part of the Natural History Museum's collection.

Visible from drivers approaching junction 11 westbound, the site is called Natural History Museum Unlocked and will store 28 million specimens. The project, in partnership with the University of Reading, aims to open up the museum's collections to researchers, physically and digitally, to drive scientific innovation.

Timeline

November 2023
Plans were submitted to Wokingham Borough Council as an extension to the Thames Valley Science Park site in Shinfield.

March 2024
The council's planning committee unanimously approved the application and an access road on 13 March 2024.

March 2025
Fergal Contracting started work on the access road on 24 March 2025.

May 2025
Mace Construction began work on the building on 1 May 2025.

July 2026
Work on the access road is due to finish in July 2026, when Fergal staff will leave the site.

May 2027
The building is due to be completed on Monday 31 May 2027, according to Construction Map.

2031
The University of Reading says the facility will be fully operational in 2031 and adds the following about its design and funding:

"[It will be] equipped with cutting-edge laboratories, workspace for Museum scientists and purpose-built storage for 28 million specimens - around a third of the Museum's collection.

"The project is generously enabled through a substantial £201 million investment from the UK government as part of its priority to increase investment in science, research and development."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter