 Above: Buckhurst Meadow, a nature park created and funded by developers at Montague Park
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: South Wokingham concept plan (David Lock Associates) - full version linked below
Further growth proposed for South Wokingham
As part of our efforts to meet our future housing needs, the new Local Plan proposes further development* in the South Wokingham area.
This would be in addition to the 630 or so new homes built at Montague Park and the 1,800 that are set to follow south of the railway in due course, along with the South Wokingham Distributor Road.
The new local plan proposes an additional 1,100 homes, approximately, on land to the south of Waterloo Road, with at least 980 to come by 31 March 2040.
Any new development would have to maintain separation from existing settlements, and all new housing in our major communities will have to include a 40 per cent affordable element and to be zero-carbon where possible.
The new plan includes the potential for a primary school with a single form of entry to the south of Waterloo Road, should this be required, to complement the primary school at Montague Park and another which will follow south of the railway.
Other infrastructure, to be funded by developers as part of their planning obligations, will include shops, public open space, play areas, allotments and ample walking and cycling provision.
A new outdoor sports hub is set to be provided at Gray's Farm, off Heathlands Road, as part of our existing Local Plan.
*PDF download, see pages 76 to 80 for more
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).
 New community continuing to develop
Three planning applications have been submitted to us to extend the South Wokingham in support of our new Local Plan - find out more here, here and here.
It is unlikely that any decision will be made before our new Local Plan is adopted.
Meanwhile, proposals for up to 1,649 new homes in support of our existing Local Plan have been approved, with a decision on plans for 171 more to be issued soon.
In line with our vision for the area's future growth, these applications include a wealth of developer-funded amenities including:
- a two-form entry primary school
- a local centre with shop units and a community building
- public open space plus play areas
- a new nature park and extension to the existing Buckhurst Meadows
You can view the first and second applications, which have been decided, and the third, for which a decision will soon be issued, on our planning portal.
 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 900 additional homes within our existing Arborfield Garrison 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.
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