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Arborfield Garrison and adjoining land

On 26th March 2007 Wokingham Borough Council and Defence Estates exchanged a Note setting out an agreed position as regards how the South East Plan should address the redevelopment potential of Arborfield Garrison. This contemplates the construction of up to 3,500 dwellings on MoD land and 1,500 dwellings on 'adjoining land' (2,500 by 2026).

There is a copy of the Note on the Draft South East Plan Examination in Public Panel Report, August 2007, website at:

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070413140241.doc

The salient points are:

1. "In order to achieve a more 'sustainable' new settlement at Arborfield, the total capacity has been increased to 5,000 dwellings through the inclusion of adjoining land".

2. Released MoD land would contribute about 3,500 of the 5,000 new dwellings. (This indicates that about 1,500 dwellings would be built on adjoining land).

3. Release of MoD land has slipped from 2011 to 2014. (Query timescale for release of adjoining land ?).

4. Now proposed to build 2,500 dwellings by 2026 (query split between dwellings on MoD land and on adjoining land ?), and up to 2,500 further dwellings in subsequent plan periods beyond 2026.

The Draft South East Plan Examination in Public Panel Report, August 2007, website also includes the following further information about plans for Arborfield Garrison:

(i) Defence Estates (MoD) submission on Western Corridor Housing   8Jii     Jan 07

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070207150358.doc

Per paragraph 2.18, Defence Estates "is working in partnership with adjoining landowners to deliver a new sustainable settlement of approximately 5,000 dwellings with a mix of uses that is 'brownfield' led".

(ii) WBC submission on Housing                            8Jii      Feb 07

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070207151416.doc

Per paragraph 17, "Wokingham supports a major development at Arborfield Garrison utilising surplus previously developed public sector land in accordance with paragraph 36 of PPS 3 and policy CC6.  It could be considered a broad strategic location (para 37).  Work on the LDF shows it is possible to overcome the sustainability objections and mitigate any impact on the Thames Basins Heath".

Arborfield Garrison and adjoining land - Links

Draft South East Plan, Examination in Public Panel Report, August 2007.

Chapter 21, Western Corridor and Blackwater Valley Sub-region.

Matter 8Ji.1, Housing Distribution, paras 21.70-21.75 (pages 326-327).

http://www.gos.gov.uk/497648/docs/171301/Examination_in_Public_Panel2.pdf

WBC and DE 26 March 2007 Note

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070413140241.doc

WBC submission on Employment Land                            8Ji       Feb 07

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070207143118.doc

WBC submission on Housing                                             8Jii      Feb 07

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070207151416.doc

DE submission on Western Corridor Housing                  8Jii      Jan 07

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070207150358.doc

 WBC submission on Infrastructure                          8Jiii Feb 07

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/downloads/documents/20070208112729.doc

WBC composite response

http://www.eipsoutheast.co.uk/representations/downloads/wokingham.pdf