BOROUGH residents are being asked for their views on where 8,500 homes should be built across the region.
Council bosses say central government want around 850 houses built every year over a 10-year period between 2026 and 2036.
That will also mean additional infrastructure including roads, schools and sites for businesses and leisure.
Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) already has an existing development plan which only goes up to 2026 and it wants to extend that date by 10 years.
It says the government controls how many houses should be built and a public consultation will ask for views on where and how the homes can best be provided.
The consultation also includes details of all the land put forward by landowners for potential development giving locals the opportunity to comment on these areas of land as well to suggest others.
Executive member for strategic planning Cllr Stuart Munro said: “We are calling for all residents to take a serious look at this consultation and give us their considered views. We believe the number of homes the Government will require us to allow is far too high and are arguing for a lower number and infrastructure upfront to ease our already congested roads. But we must be clear that more homes are needed in the borough and they will be built somewhere.
“Simply shouting ‘No’ is not just pointless but would be irresponsible because having a Local Plan is the only way we can make sure the homes (which will come no matter what) are built in the best locations and come with the right schools, roads and other community facilities necessary.
“We also need to be clear that the Local Plan is not just about housing, although we realise that is a key issue for residents.
“The Local Plan will also guide the number of new jobs that will be created and what schools, roads, community facilities and sport and leisure centres are built alongside the new homes.
“Thanks to our current plan (the 2010 Core Strategy) we are seeing the benefits of nearly £1 billion pounds of infrastructure investment that is paying for the new schools, new roads, new sports centres and other new facilities we are seeing built around the borough.”
The public consultation (LPU consultation: Homes for the Future) is available online and will be open until February 15, 2019.
WBC warns that a lack of an up-to-date Local Plan means there is little protection against developers wanting to build in unsuitable places, such as the countryside or where infrastructure is not available and cannot be provided.
The number of homes needed in the borough in the years from 2026 to 2036 is set by central government. The total will vary but it is expected to be between 750 and 850 homes per year.
As well as the online consultation, the council is holding a series of drop-in events for people to meet officers and councillors to discuss the Local Plan.
These are being held at:
- Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Winnersh: Tuesday, December 4 from 7pm to 9pm
- The Howard Palmer Room, St Sebastian’s Memorial Hall, Nine Mile Ride, Monday, January 7 from 7pm to 9pm
- Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford: Thursday, January 10 from 7pm to 9pm
- Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham: Wednesday, January 16 from 7pm to 9pm
- Ryeish Green Sports Centre, Hyde End Road: Tuesday, January 22 from 7pm to 9pm
- Henry Street Garden Centre, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield: Wednesday, January 30 from 7pm to 9pm
- Trinity Church, Chalfont Close, Earley: Wednesday, February 6 from 7pm to 9pm
- Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley: Tuesday, February 12 from 7pm to 9pm
In addition, a guide to the Local Plan is being sent to all homes in the borough to explain what it involves and how people can take part in the consultation. This guide is also available to download from the council’s website.
For full details of the Local Plan and consultation, visit www.wokingham.gov.uk and search for ‘Local Plan Update’.
