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WOKINGHAM Borough Council has sought to reassure residents over proposals to turn a car park in Wokingham’s town centre.
In Thursday’s Wokingham Paper – on sale now at all good newsagents – we released news that an unknown developer has drawn up plans to turn the Euro Car Parks behind Denmark Street into a housing development. Three buildings are also affected: Seymour House and 3 and 4 The Courtyard, home to the former Wokingham Police Station which has remained empty since its closure.
The development would be up to 80 homes and a mixture of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and a specially created website states that they would be built to be highly sustainable, with on-site renewable energy generation and rainwater management techniques in place.
Since we revealed the plans, angry residents have taken to our Facebook page to express their concerns.
One said: “So, trying to attract new businesses to the town centre, the proposal is to further reduce parking close by! I’m no expert, but……this sounds like ‘shooting yourself in the foot’!”
Another added: “We need the car park!!!! Some people can’t walk far and its close access to the shops!! They’ve already taken away rose st car park. Do not need to lose another one!”
There were similar comments on our Twitter feed:
If they think they can fit 80 homes in that space – where on earth are they going to fit space for 80-160 cars that those home owners are likely to need???
— Jenny ???? & ????⬜️???? (@WithAWhy99) February 28, 2019
Doesn’t exactly encourage people to come shopping in Wokingham when the car parks keep disappearing, does it!!! Think we’ll be off to Bracknell when this happens as we used to use the Paddocks until that vanished, and now this scheme.
— GB (@Viffergb) February 28, 2019
However, some people didn’t mind the idea.
Right thing to do! People can park in multi-storey and walk!
— Barry Fry (@Bazfry75) March 1, 2019
The website for the proposed development states: “The site is previously developed, brownfield land within the centre of Wokingham which is identified by the Council as a key location for new development.
“The proposals for the site reflect these designations [from Wokingham Borough Council] and the aim to bring new homes to the town centre.”
No formal planning application has been made – the plans are only at the proposal stage.
In a statement this afternoon, Wokingham Borough Council said:
“We would like to clarify the position regarding this land:
- It is misleading of the developer’s website to state the area has been ‘identified by the Council as a key location for new development’
- There has been no planning application for the site and, if one is submitted, WBC would assess it on its merits and in line with planning policy – as it legally must do – and this assessment would include consideration of the town’s car park requirements
- If a planning application is submitted, there would be a public consultation on it which would give all residents a chance to comment formally on the plans.”
The plans can be seen at denmarkstreetwokingham.property
