Wokingham: Loddon Garden Village plans for 4,000 homes

Plans are moving ahead to use the Hall Farm site, owned by the University of Reading and south of the M4 motorway, for some 3,930 homes. The project is being spearheaded by the University of Reading in partnership with Hatch Farm Land and Gleeson Land. Known as the Loddon Garden Village, developers will deliver Wokingham Borough's largest country park, two primary schools, a secondary school, a business hub and retail facilities.

Alongside this, improved road links, healthcare services and enhanced transport services will be delivered to cope with the influx of new populations. The new country park will become the largest within the Wokingham Borough, at a total of 490 acres. The scheme was included in the council's local plan (Image: Wokingham Borough Council) The nearby Thames Valley Science Park will be expanded, while new small and medium-sized employment spaces, shops and offices will be built.

Three neighbourhood centres with shops, all-weather sports pitches, and community and health facilities will be delivered. Developers say approximately 2,700 new homes will be delivered by 2040, with up to 40 per cent of them designated below-market rent or shared ownership. Road, cycle, bus and pedestrian connections will be improved, with a new link over the M4 motorway to Lower Earley Way, and a lane added on Lower Earley Way.

There will also be a new half-hourly bus service connecting the site to Wokingham and Reading town centres and railway stations. The site has been earmarked for development in Wokingham Borough Council's emerging local plan for housing, which was approved by councillors in September. The plan is currently seeking final approval from a government inspector.

Councillor Stephen Conway (left) and Joseph Barley (right) clashed over the Hall Farm plan in September (Image: LDRS) The Loddon Garden Village plan has been a point of contention between Wokingham Borough Councillors. During a vote on the council's local plan, two Labour members for Shinfield abstained over worries of over development in their area, while the Conservative opposition attempted to cut the homes from the masterplan altogether. Professor Robert Van de Norrt, Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, said he wanted the village to have a 'positive impact for local people and our environment'.

A spokesperson from Gleeson Land said the village would be a 'vibrant place where people can enjoy working, living and leisure activities'.

Residents are being invited to public consultations where they can have their say on the scheme.

These are taking place at Shinfield School Green Centre on Saturday, March 22, at Meadow Suite at the University of Reading on Friday, March 28, and Arborfield Village Hall on Saturday, March 29.