A housing development in Barkham that attracted more than 500 objections from residents is set to be approved by Wokingham Borough Council next week.
Developers Berkley Strategic Land submitted plans to build 350 homes on land adjacent to Blagrove Lane on the outskirts of Wokingham.
The proposal would add a possible 900 cars to the surrounding area, creating concerns among locals about the impact on traffic, local services and amenities.
The homes would be built as energy efficient, with 40% being identified as affordable.
Plans also include the construction of a 68-bed care home.
Originally, developers wanted to build a community space, but this was removed from updated plans last year.
Developers presented early proposals for the site to the council in 2019, before submitting more thorough plans to the authority’s planning committee in 2022.
There was then a delay to the public consultation activities due to the local elections, which ended in late December 2023.
Berkley Strategic Land argued that the location is desirable and sustainable due to ‘easy access’ to Wokingham town centre, railway stations and local services and facilities.
Access would be built for the site through Barkham Road, and a bus route diversion would be built through the development.
A large green space would also be retained on the site.
But the plan has proved unpopular with Barkham residents, concerned about the impact that a large number of new homes will have on the village’s amenities and services.
A total of 540 locals wrote to Wokingham Borough Council to object to the plans.
One wrote: “Though I understand housing is needed, this plan is insane.
“The road infrastructure as Barkham Road and Molly Millars Lane head into Wokingham town centre are already at breaking point, and adding more cars to that immediate area is not sustainable.”
Others argued that it would contribute negatively to biodiversity and wildlife conservation in the area.
A new care home has been argued as a good addition for the Wokingham borough by developers. The care home plot will be given to the council at no cost, and will ‘help meet future adult social care requirements’.
The council’s planning committee will consider and vote on this proposal at their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, September 11.
They will decide whether to give it ‘outline approval’, meaning they agree with the principle of the development.
Council officers have recommended approval of the plans.
