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A vital decision on whether two housing estates will be built against Wokingham blueprints has been delayed following the publication of new Government guidelines
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Wokingham housing estates planning decision delayed

By Victoria Smith
May 24, 2012

A vital decision on whether two housing estates will be built against Wokingham blueprints has been delayed following the publication of new Government guidelines.

Wokingham Borough Council is hopeful the new guidelines, which were published last month, will strengthen its case against plans for thousands of homes on land south of the M4 near Shinfield and north of Wokingham town centre.

A decision on the two appeals had been due, however the planning inspector is now expected to issue a ruling in July.

The cost to the taxpayer of meeting housing targets has spiralled in the last year, with an additional £2 million released to cover the price tag of fighting developers at planning appeals.

Two planning appeals were heard at the end of last year, one for land at Kentwood Farm, off Warren House Lane, and another from The University of Reading for land near Shinfield. The council fought these because it said they went against the council’s vision for how new housing mini-towns would look.

The Government introduced the new National Planning Policy Framework in April to give more control over development to local authorities and communities.

Councils such as Wokingham with their own plans for how to meet housing targets would be given more power to fight off unwanted plans for estates.

Councillor Angus Ross, executive member for strategic highways and planning, said: “We feel it further supports our Core Strategy, which we adopted at the beginning of 2010.

“We believe this makes our case stronger but we have to wait for the decision on the appeals to come through.”

Wokingham must build more than 13,000 homes by 2026, however is so far behind on annual building targets.

Cllr Ross said the delay in the housing decision would mean the council can press forward with a fresh consultation on proposals for smaller housing estates dotted around the borough.

The public is expected to be asked for views on this new plan in the next few weeks.

Most of the 13,000 homes will be built on four sites, including Arborfield Garrison, north of Wokingham town, south of Wokingham town, and land near the M4 at Shinfield. However, thousands more homes will be taken on smaller sites.

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Summary

This guide describes the main measures of the Localism Bill under four headings:

*new freedoms and flexibilities for local government *new rights and powers for communities and individuals *reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective *reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally

Ref: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localismplainenglishguide

http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/localismbill/

Jogon, Wokingham
24/05/2012 at 22:09

"Wokingham must build more than 13,000 homes by 2026, however is so far behind on annual building targets."

This was relaxed when the new government took over, don't be fooled into thinking it's a government mandate! Previous one yes, but not current.

http://www.change.org/petitions/force-wokingham-borough-council-to-hold-a-public-referendum-on-the-core-strategy-and-housing-plans?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition

Jogon, Wokingham
24/05/2012 at 22:02

Quote "Councillor Angus Ross, executive member for strategic highways and planning, said: “We feel it further supports our Core Strategy, which we adopted at the beginning of 2010."

Have you actually read of the National Planning Policy Framework? because the Core Strategy is destroying it!

9. Protecting Green Belt land

79. The Government attaches great importance to Green Belts. The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.

80. Green Belt serves five purposes: ● to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas; ● to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another; ● to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; ● to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and ● to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

http://www.narcag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/NPPF-March-2012.pdf

Local Woky, Wokingham
24/05/2012 at 21:55

graywok, it's a good point, but a global one; the current global economy is - as we're all no doubt sick of hearing - based on 'growth'. More jobs, more consumers, more useless tat being produced and bought, and a constantly growing population. Globally there is no desire to change this massively broken and ideologically un-sound system, in spite of the current recession highlighting many issues with it and the 'occupy' protesters raising the issue. Remember, governments (not just ours) are only interested in winnin gthe next vote - not doing what's necessary or long term.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
24/05/2012 at 14:06

Will we ever stop 'needing' all these 000's and 000's of houses. When will it stop. Is there a core strategy to address this rather than the blinkered attitude of just building and building until gridlock. Oh wait - Councils get more council tax and Govts earn more tax...hmmm seems like a fixed agenda.