Massive Housing Development Sparks Local Concerns

A major Priors Farm housing scheme would add hundreds of homes on fields south‑east of Wokingham, plus a small centre, school land and large public green space.

Developers want outline permission for 850 more homes in the area south of the railway between Easthampstead Road and Old Wokingham Road. 1,800 homes are already planned along the new South Wokingham Distributor Road, bringing the total to about 2,650.

Residents have until June 15 to object.

"Wokingham Without residents have until 16 June to submit comments on planning application 241933 which is for 850 houses west of Old Wokingham Road and North and South of Easthampstead Road."

"Residents can submit their comments by going on to the Wokingham Borough Council Planning Portal."

The site is farmland crossed by a tributary of the Emm Brook, with ancient woodland, veteran trees and public rights of way.

The plan concentrates most housing north of the brook, with a smaller area to the south, plus a neighbourhood centre, shops, community space, land for a primary school, and new parkland intended to take pressure off nearby protected heathland.

Because the site lies within five kilometres of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area the scheme includes around 20 hectares of new natural‑style parkland with a 2.5‑kilometre circular walking route, play areas and links to existing paths, to be delivered before the first homes are occupied and managed long‑term.

A habitats assessment for the developers says the extra homes would not harm the protected heathland or its rare bird species if the new green space and wider visitor management measures are delivered.

Newly co‑opted Wokingham Without councillor Colin Wright lodged a formal objection, saying the scheme is "a major speculative expansion of housing into open countryside" and arguing it fails national tests for truly sustainable development. He warns it would be car‑dependent, worsen busy roads and add pressure on schools and health services, and flagged the Old Wokingham Road/Easthampstead Road junction as particularly dangerous, noting key changes rely on future funding and cross‑council agreement.

Wokingham Without Borough Councillor Seona Turtle urged residents to engage with Wokingham Borough Council by June 15. She said:

"This request fails to consider the significant developments taking place in neighbouring Bracknell."

"The cumulative impact of this new proposal raises serious concerns about sustainability and the strain it will place on our community."

"With public transport options severely lacking and roads already grappling with gridlock, the situation is becoming increasingly dire."

"If the Local Plan Update is approved, Wokingham Without could see a staggering total of 3,600 homes built."

"The expansion does not account for the already stretched local services, nor does it provide sufficient green space for residents to enjoy."

"We cannot overlook the overwhelming pressure this will place on our already inundated infrastructure."

For more information and to submit your comments, please visit the Wokingham Borough Council planning portal by 16th June and search for application number 241933.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter