PLANS for a specialist dementia care centre and up to 130 new homes have been approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee.
The application for the Toutley East site was discussed by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday, July 13.
It includes proposals for a 68 bed specialist dementia care centre along with up to 130 new homes, extensive landscaping and a potential noise buffer to reduce the impact of noise from the A329M.
Planks also show direct pedestrian and cyclist links through to the Matthewsgreen primary school and district centre.
Cllr David Hare, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, described it as a “great opportunity”.
He said: “Toutley East offers us a great opportunity to make sure that residents, especially those with dementia, have the high-quality and specialist care facilities they will increasingly need in years to come.
“We want to be proactive in helping people to remain in the local area, close to their families and friends, as well as reducing the high costs of having to place people in homes outside of the borough.”
Cllr Stephen Conway, deputy leader and executive member for housing, was keen to highlight the plan’s delivery of affordable housing to the borough.
He said: “It’s important that we can continue to build the new homes our residents need, especially new affordable homes as we recognise that so many local families are in desperate need.
“Toutley East, which will deliver at least 45 new affordable homes on site, is a great opportunity to support this ambition and ensure everyone has access to high quality energy efficient homes.”
The application was deferred from the May planning committee to give members the opportunity to visit the site and meet council officers for reassurance on access and proximity to the A329M.
Officers and councillors agreed the concerns raised can be addressed through the detailed design process which will be considered at a later date.
With outline planning consent now in place, and subject to executive approval later this month, work will start to prepare detailed designs for the new care home and infrastructure, with housing designs to follow.
Designs will be shared by the council with residents before being submitted to planning for approval.
