Land in Wokingham could be sold off for millions of pounds to provide new affordable homes and a vital cash boost.
The 7.7-hectare site off Twyford Road, east of the Toutley Road depot in north Wokingham, could be developed for up to 160 environmentally-friendly homes for local people – including those in greatest need.
Initially, the plan was to build 130 homes and a 68-bed dementia care home on the site, called the Toutley East development.
An outline plan for the development was approved in July 2022, but hit a snag when the Wokingham Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat executive committee delayed the care home element due to escalating costs in June 2023.
However, the council has been able to acquire and invest in care homes like Bluebell House in Wokingham town and The Hollies at Burghfield Common.
The council is now proposing to sell off the site to a developer to provide more housing and generate income.
The aim is for up to 43 per cent of the development, about 67 homes, to be designated affordable.
Cllr Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst), the council leader, said: “We’ve been facing serious and ongoing financial challenges for many years, like all councils, but we’re still committed to being there for the people who need us most.
“This proposal will help us meet that commitment on two fronts: firstly, it will provide housing for local residents, including those who need an extra level of support, while meeting the highest environmental standards for many years to come.
“At the same time, it will secure much-needed income to relieve pressure on our services and ensure we continue to help others in need elsewhere in the borough.
“Our financial position is thankfully more secure than many other councils, due to our long history of strong financial management, but we still have to do all we can to responsibly maximise our income.
“This proposal for Toutley East, which is supported by professional advice and expert assessment of the market, represents a sensible, lower-risk approach which still gives us control over the final outcome.”
The site will be sold using a framework set by Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, with expressions of interest sought this month and formal offers expected by the end of this year.
A preferred bidder should be identified early next year, with a planning application for new development expected to follow in the spring and the sale to complete next autumn.
Any planning application will be subject to public consultation, and the developer will have to pay section 106 contributions to the council.
It is also likely that a decision would be made by the council’s planning committee.
