 Above: Hazebrouck Meadow, a nature park created and funded by developers at Arborfield Green
New Local Plan sets out vision for future growth
We've agreed to move forward with our new Local Plan by submitting it for independent examination - and you can find out more about what we're proposing on our Engage Wokingham Borough page.
The plan sets out all aspects of how our borough should develop until 2040. This includes acceptable locations for new housing, and policies to:
- secure quality community infrastructure, funded by developers
- provide affordable homes, so future generations can live and work locally
- protect green spaces across the borough
- ensure zero-carbon development where possible
As well as explaining what's in the plan, we'd like to dispel some of the myths around the planning process and explain why our proposal is the best option for preserving our excellent quality of life.
There's also a summary of the benefits that our current Local Plan has provided. This is why we propose a similar approach, incorporating some large-scale development, in the new version.
We've published the draft plan for comment on its soundness and legal compliance, and we're accepting responses until Wednesday 13 November.
We've already consulted extensively on details like the proposed housing sites and incorporated your feedback where we can.
 Above: Barkham Square concept plan (David Lock Associates) - full version linked below
Further growth proposed for Arborfield Green
As part of our efforts to meet our future housing needs, the new Local Plan proposes additional development* in the Arborfield Green area.
This includes 300 homes on land currently occupied by the film studios off Langley Common Road and 600 more on land to the north, known as Barkham Square.
The new development would have woodland, open spaces and parks as well as footpaths and cycle paths with links to existing neighbourhoods and beyond.
It will be required to preserve the separation between Arborfield Cross, Barkham Hill and Finchampstead North so that each keeps its own identity.
All new housing in our major communities will be required to include a 40 per cent affordable element and to be zero-carbon where this is achievable.
We'll also keep working with the developers to provide the remaining infrastructure lined up for the former Arborfield Garrison in our existing Local Plan.
This includes another new primary school with two forms of entry, plus early years provision on site and scope to expand to three forms of entry.
*PDF download - see pages 72 to 76 for more
 Above: New homes at North Wokingham, viewed from a nature park created as part of the development
A new garden village and more
Our new Local Plan also includes proposals for a new community of 3,930 homes known as Loddon Garden Village.
This would be established on land south of the M4 between Shinfield, Arborfield and Sindlesham, owned mostly by the University of Reading as part of its Hall Farm site.
The garden village could benefit from a wealth of infrastructure including new primary and secondary schools, a bridge over the motorway and ample public green space including a new country park along the River Loddon.
Land is also identified for 1,100 additional homes within our existing South Wokingham major development, with around 1,000 homes to be built on smaller sites across the borough.
Proposing large-scale development makes it easier to help the new communities thrive by securing improvements to infrastructure.
This approach has proven successful in the past and, when we consulted, most people said it was their preferred way for us to manage development in the future.
We're hosting two drop-in information sessions about the Local Plan on:
- Tuesday 29 October (4pm to 7pm), Pound Green Room, School Green Centre, Shinfield, RG2 9EH
- Thursday 31 October (6pm to 9pm), council offices foyer, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN
You'll be able to talk to officers and councillors about the plan, and how to respond. If you can't make those dates, we can speak to you on request at our offices on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 November (9.30am to 4.30pm).
 Secondary school set for sixth-form expansion
A sixth form extension to the Bohunt School Wokingham at Arborfield Green is set to open in September 2026.
We've been working closely with the Bohunt Education Trust on the proposal, which will create 300 new places.
This much-needed sixth form provision in our borough's rural south will allow more young people to continue studying in the area where they live.
As well as reducing travel costs, it will improve the environmental impact by making walking, cycling or taking public transport to school more feasible.
This follows a decision by our executive to provide an increased financial contribution towards the new sixth form in October last year.
Bohunt Wokingham opened in 2016, thanks to funding from developers, and was the first new secondary school to be built in the borough in more than 50 years.
 New shops and more to serve growing community
We've received a detailed planning application for a neighbourhood centre in the Hogwood Farm area, now being redeveloped as Finchwood Park.
This will provide two ground-floor shop units to serve new residents and will have 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, all affordable, on the floors above.
It will be set back from the road to provide a landscaped village square with scope to accommodate outdoor seating or host community events, including markets.
It will be located on land to the south and west of Nine Mile Ride Extension, and next to a plot where a primary school is set to be provided in due course.
Outline planning permission for the scheme has already been granted as part of a wider application for up to 1,500 new homes and related amenities.
 Supermarket, green space and more moving forward
We've also given planning permission for a district centre with 18 shops plus flats, public green space and more, and this continues to progress.
Work is now about to start on the main access road for the scheme, as well as the Sainsbury's supermarket which also has planning permission.
This follows some ground clearance work which took place over the summer, with earth being moved to help landscape the new West Court nature park.
The scheme includes a new community centre for Arborfield Green, and discussions are ongoing to ensure the final design meets people's needs.
This follows consultation with residents and other interested parties over the summer by a working group which we're part of.
As we've reported, new and improved sports facilities have also been agreed off Princess Marina Drive and work on these is scheduled to start early next year.
Additional sports facilities are also envisioned for Finchwood Park, with further details to be confirmed in due course.
 Above: the Nightingale Fields development with allotments at the western edge (Pad Design)
New allotments in store for neighbourhood
Community allotments are set to be provided in the Nightingale Fields development, with access off Quiller Avenue.
The site will offer 36 plots of between 90 and 200 square metres, with tool sheds and picnic benches plus banks to store manure and wood chippings.
The allotments will be provided by developer Crest Nicholson as part of its obligations linked to planning permission for new homes in the area.
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