Local residents and stakeholders are being invited to take part in a new consultation to help shape the future of Arborfield and Barkham, and to influence the next phase of the Neighbourhood Plan.
With ongoing pressure for housing growth in the area, the parish councils are asking the community to share their views on how future development should be managed.
The consultation will explore a set of “what-if” growth scenarios to help people understand possible impacts on traffic, green spaces, schools and health services.
These scenarios are not proposals or targets, but tools to support informed discussion about long-term choices and trade-offs.
Cllr Jim Murphy, chair of the joint neighbourhood plan steering group said: “Growth pressures are unlikely to go away, but how we respond to them is something we can shape together.
“This consultation is about making sure local voices help guide future decisions, protect what people value about our area, and secure the right benefits for our communities.”
Several events are taking place to inform the community and gather their views through a consultation survey.
The launch event for the consultation will take place at Farley Hill school on Saturday, March 7 from 2pm until 5pm.
This will be followed by events at Arborfield Village Hall on Saturday, March 21 , and at Barkham village hall on Saturday, March 28.
A webinar will follow on Monday, April 13for those who are unable to attend the events in person.
Feedback from the consultation survey will help inform updates to the Neighbourhood Plan, responses to the emerging Local Plan, and how the parish councils engage with future planning applications.
For more information and to take part, visit the Neighbourhood Plan website at www.arbarplan.co.uk.
