Wokingham Borough Council Local Plan 2045
Wokingham Borough Council Local Plan 2045
What is the Local Plan?
Wokingham Borough Council is preparing a new local plan (LP2045), which will set out how the borough will develop up to 2045. The Local Plan will provide a framework for future development, including housing, employment, town centres and the infrastructure needed to support growing communities.
It will identify land for development to help meet the borough’s future needs, particularly for housing. At this early stage, WBC is asking residents to share the issues and local evidence they feel should be considered as the plan is developed.
We are encouraging residents to take part and submit their views as part of the consultation.
Why is it important that local residents respond now?
- The Local Plan will help shape where development goes and how it affects local roads, services, green spaces and village character.
- It is better to respond now, while WBC is still deciding what issues and evidence the plan should address.
- Raising local concerns early can help ensure the combined effects of growth across the A4 corridor are considered and infrastructure is planned alongside new homes.
- Once decisions have been made and development is underway, it can be much harder to put problems right
- Later consultations offer further opportunities to comment, but they may come after some of the key planning choices have already taken shape.
The Council’s current timetable aims for adoption in July 2029 and they are urging residents to take an active interest and respond at each stage. You can view the timetable on their website.
Where are the proposed sites for new housing developments?
The consultation identifies four sites in Charvil and four nearby sites, which together could accommodate approximately 1,100 new homes. Across the wider A4 corridor, proposals could amount to a further 4,500–5,250 homes across Charvil, Twyford, Ruscombe, Sonning and Wargrave. These figures indicate the potential scale of development being considered. They are not approved developments or confirmed allocations in the Local Plan.
The scale of proposed development means that the cumulative impact across the area is an important consideration. Additional housing is likely to affect traffic levels on the A4 and local roads, as well as demand for services at Twyford Station. The capacity of walking and cycling routes, public transport, schools, healthcare and community facilities will also be relevant to planning for future growth. Your comments cannot guarantee a particular outcome, but they can help shape the plan’s priorities while it is still being developed at this early stage.
Once decisions are made, there may be less opportunity to influence the outcome. Wokingham Borough Council is asking residents to share their views at this early stage, so please take the opportunity to respond and make sure Charvil’s local perspective is heard.
You can respond online on the Wokingham Borough Website: engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/scoping-consultation-wokingham-borough-local-plan-2045
Or email: LP2045@wokingham.gov.uk