Concerned residents were out in force for a consultation event detailing proposals for a major new development of more than 1,000 homes on the outskirts of Wokingham.
The plans for up to 1,030 new homes and what is described as a new neighbourhood were set out by developers Lightwood Strategic and Nicholas King Homes for southern Wokingham as part of a public consultation last week.
The 55-acre site, which is currently used for agriculture and equestrian activities, is located between Easthampstead Road and Old Wokingham Road in Wokingham Without.
Developers were on hand to answer questions at the event at St Sebastian’s Memorial Hall.
They heard how formal plans could be submitted to Wokingham Borough Council as early as next month.
The plans could see Priors Farm, Pearces Farm and Hambridge Farm disappear.
Situated between Easthampstead Road and Old Wokingham Road, the proposal extends the South Wokingham boundary, cuts through a historic Byway and closes the gap to Bracknell.
The proposal include a series of roads across the site, and a new junction onto Easthampstead Road.
Several residents who spoke to Wokingham Today at the event were surprised at the scale of the proposals, and how they could erode the green gap between Wokingham and Bracknell.
One, who declined to be named, also expressed his understanding about the need for new homes in Wokingham Borough, but wasn’t convinced this was the best location.
On its website, the developers note that the site was identified in Wokingham Borough Council’s draft Local Plan 2026-2040 for housing growth, as an extension to the south Wokingham strategic development location, parts of which have already been built.
They added how they are working to establish a coordinated master-planning approach for the creation of this new neighbourhood to the south of Wokingham.
