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Comments on Core Strategy 2006-2026
New housing development allocations
New housing development allocations
In its Submission Core Strategy, Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) is proposing four 'strategic development locations' (SDLs) to accommodate the majority of the new housing required to be built by 2026:
Arborfield Garrison - 3,500 homes
South Wokingham - 2,500 homes
North Wokingham - 1,500 homes
South of M4 – Shinfield/Spencers Wood/Three Mile Cross – 2,500 homes
While the Core Strategy contemplates the building of 3,500 dwellings at Arborfield Garrison by 2026, this is at variance with the South East Plan which envisages the building of 2,500 new homes during the plan period.
To download the complete Submission Core Strategy, go to:
Residents affected by the plans to develop the three other SDLs may be expected to oppose them vigorously, and will seek to deflect new development elsewhere. The Wokingham Society, in conjunction with the Great Langborough Residents' Association, is opposing the North Wokingham and South Wokingham SDLs, and has engaged planning consultants to prepare a robust case against further development north and south of Wokingham.
This suggests that Barkham should seek to challenge the target of 3,500 dwellings to be built at Arborfield Garrison by 2026 and to present a well argued case for limiting the number to (say) 2,500, as well as seeking to mitigate the potential impact on Barkham.
Even if the new settlement at Arborfield Garrison is kept physically separate from Barkham, it is inconceivable that a new community numbering some 10,000 people by 2026 will not have a major impact on transport infrastructure in the locality and put even more pressure on other local services and amenities.
As Barkham Road/Langley Common Road will remain the main route between Arborfield Garrison and Wokingham, in particular Wokingham Station, there will be increased traffic along Barkham Road/Langley Common Road. The greatly increased population in the area is also likely to result in increased traffic along Bearwood Road as the main north-south route through Barkham.
Apart from the expectation of greater traffic congestion in Barkham, the Core Strategy also contemplates "improvements to transport capacity" along Barkham Road, including measures to improve accessibility for buses and cyclists. No more detail is given, but this raises the prospect of road widening in some places to accommodate some form of bus priority lane and/or cycle track.
While the large scale redevelopment of Arborfield Garrison seems unavoidable, Wokingham Borough Council needs to be given a clear message by the residents of Barkham that the over-development of Arborfield Garrison is not sustainable and that significant improvements to public transport (e.g. high quality express bus service) are vital if the local road network is not to be overwhelmed.
We need to demonstrate to Wokingham Borough Council that the residents of Barkham are concerned to see that the new settlement at Arborfield Garrison is sustainable and will not have an adverse effect on the character and separate identity of Barkham. WBC's response process is very complex, so we have tried to simplify it for you here.
This website contains guidance on commenting on the five issues we think most important, in one composite response form. You may, of course, delete those you do not support, or add others.
Please 'Have your Say' by making your views known to Wokingham Borough Council and urge your neighbours (or ask other members of your household) to do the same to maximise our impact.
Public comments to Wokingham Borough Council should be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday 1st October.
Comments may be sent by letter, fax or email or submitted online.
One method of making comments is to use the Comment Form issued by WBC. A composite version completed with suggested comments on the below key issues is available in printed and electronic versions (Microsoft Word):
1 - scale of new settlement at Arborfield Garrison
2 - improvements to Barkham Road/Langley Common Road
3 - improvements to public transport
4 - development in 'limited development locations' (e.g. Barkham)
5 - removal of Wokingham Station level-crossing
(a) Using the Comment Form without a computer
Blank Comment Forms and composite forms completed with suggested comments are available at Barkham Post Office and the Bull for residents without home computers. These should be returned to Barkham Post Office who will hand deliver to WBC on your behalf.
If you use the printed composite Comment Form completed with suggested comments, you should feel free to make additional comments as there is space in the boxes after the printed comments.
(b) Commenting by home computer using Comment Form
The composite Comment Form completed with suggested comments on the above key issues is available at Comment Form.
You will need to enter your name and address etc. on the first page (Part A) and your name again at the top of EACH of the five subsequent Part B pages (all highlighted in yellow). Your personal details will not be published by Wokingham Borough Council. Your signature at the bottom of Part A may be typewritten if the form is submitted by email. There is no need to give your telephone number or email address if you do not wish to.
You should feel free to change the suggested comments as you think fit. Space has been left in each field for any additional comments you would like to make.
Once completed, each Comment Form may then be emailed as a Word document attachment to corestrategy@wokingham.gov.uk or a hard copy printed-off and posted or hand delivered to Wokingham Borough Council at the address below, or returned to Barkham Post Office who will hand deliver on your behalf.
If you would like a blank Comment Form for making other comments, please go to the below WBC webpage and download the first downloadable document (Representation form MS Word) under "Related Documents" at the bottom of the page:
http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/environment/planning/ldf/core-strategy/core-strategy-consultation
(c) Comments using the online consultation system
If you wish to comment using the WBC online public consultation system, please go to:
https://www.ldfconsult.co.uk/wokingham/csc/
(d) Comments by letter
Comments by letter should be posted or hand delivered to:
Wokingham Borough Core Strategy,
Land Use and Transport Policy,
Policy and Partnerships,
Wokingham Borough Council,
PO Box 157, Shute End,
WOKINGHAM,
Berkshire, RG40 1WR.
Comments to the Council ought to relate either to:
(a) legal compliance (e.g. the way in which WBC has prepared the Core Strategy); or
(b) the 'soundness' of the document (e.g. whether the Core Strategy is justified, effective or consistent with national policy).
The comment forms include the following boxes:
- Please give details of why you consider the Core Strategy is not legally compliant or is unsound.
- Please set out what change(s) you consider necessary to make the Core Strategy legally compliant or sound.
- Say why this change will make the Core Strategy legally compliant or sound. It will be helpful if you are able to put forward your suggested revised wording.
The Comment Form contains some very helpful guidance notes at page 4, including an explanation of the concept of 'soundness'. An online explanation of the concept of 'soundness' may be found at:
The consultation process is explained at:
http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/environment/planning/ldf/core-strategy/core-strategy-consultation
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