Concerns have been raised about the gap between Wokingham and Bracknell being closed as more than 200 homes are set to be built in the area.
Developer Miller Homes recently won approval for detailed plans to build on fields near existing rural roads. The site, east of Waterloo Road, was approved by Wokingham borough council’s planning department last month.
The fears have been raised in reaction to this news on Facebook, as only a few fields and woodland separate Bracknell and Wokingham.
People commented with comedic fusions of the two place names, reflecting how close they are getting.
Pete Carter said: “Brackingham or Wokingnell is getting a step closer.”
There were serious concerns about the practical implications of more homes being built between the two towns.
Carey Clifton Ival said: “The plan is to join Wokingham to Bracknell. Time to move. The amount of traffic is getting ridiculous. There are not enough doctors; the list is endless.
“This area has lost so much green belt. Also, there are not enough police, as crime seems to be going up.
Both the Bracknell Forest and Wokingham borough local plans mention maintaining a strategic gap between the two towns.
The Bracknell Forest Local Plan states: “The gap between Wokingham and Bracknell is a designated area to prevent the physical and visual coalescence of the two settlements.”
The plan adds that while development can be permitted in the gap, these developments must not cause the towns to merge or lose their individual identities.
Some people have pondered leaving the area due to increased population pressures, which was echoed by people who have already moved.
To address concerns about highway pressures, the south Wokingham distributor road is being built to serve the south Wokingham major development of around 1,600 homes, and divert traffic away from the town.
The 215 home development mentioned above will be built next to the Eastern Gateway roundabout, which was completed in 2022 and links Waterloo Road with William Heelas Way.
Once completed, it is hoped the distributor road will release pressure on existing rural roads, such as Easthampstead Road and Peacock Lane.
The 215 homes project is subject to a section 106 developer legal agreement being signed between Miller Homes and Wokingham borough council.
