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The incorporation of more than 1,500 upcoming homes south of Wokingham has been welcomed amid a clash over which area new residents will belong to.
The south Wokingham major development will see approximately 1,500 homes built south of the Reading to Waterloo railway line.
The area, where a new road is under construction, is referred to in planning terms as a strategic development location (SDL). When the homes are occupied, residents will have to pay council tax to the borough and the town or parish council they live within.
Wokingham borough council is currently holding a community governance review consultation, determining the number of properties in each town and parish council.
It has been recommended that SDL homes should receive services from Wokingham Without parish council, which covers rural areas and part of Crowthorne.
Councillor Nicholas Martin, chairman of the parish council, said: “Wokingham Without residents and parish council is delighted that the borough council agrees with the recommendation to retain the SDL development within Wokingham Without parish.
“While it has been commented that SDL residents would feel they belonged in Wokingham town, we would like to point out that the residents of Wokingham Without have use of the facilities of Crowthorne, Bracknell and Wokingham town centre.
“The geographical location of Wokingham Without parish offers many choices and will continue to do so.
“The residents of all the parishes in Wokingham use the town centre facilities.”
The statement comes amid a clashing proposal to incorporate the new community into Wokingham town council instead.
At the latest full council meeting, borough councillor Rachel Burgess argued that those living south of the railway will be more likely to use Wokingham town services.
She said: “Everyone who is looking at buying or renting property in that area will believe they are looking for a place to live in Wokingham.
“They will tell their friends and their family that they have moved to Wokingham.
“A cursory glance at any future map will show this area as part of Wokingham.”
Cllr Martin argued the SDL is still more appropriate in Wokingham Without, as the first stage of the development will be named ‘Sawyer Green’ in honour of the Sawyer family who owned Ravenswood House and donated land for the construction of St Sebastian’s Church in 1864.
He said: “The parish council still considers the railway line a firm boundary with limited access to Wokingham town.
“Wokingham Without parish council will consult its residents regarding
the Wokingham borough council community governance draft proposals.”
A consultation on the proposals is available on the borough council website and runs until November 13.
What council area a person lives in has financial implications, as different town and parish councils charge different rates for the services they provide.
Living in Wokingham Without is slightly more expensive, as residents pay £78.27 for a Band D property to the parish council, whereas Wokingham town residents pay £74.85.
