New 21 Flats Approved for Wokingham Town Centre

Plans for 21 social rent flats in Wokingham town centre were approved by Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday, October 14.

The three-storey block will be built on vacant land at the junction of Wellington Road and Station Road, near Wokingham railway station.

All homes will be for social rent: 19 one-bed flats (one wheelchair-accessible) and two two-bed flats. Officers said the development is intended to help meet housing needs in the borough, including those of vulnerable residents and care leavers.

"This is a site that has been identified for many years as an important site and gateway to the town centre. Here it will deliver 21 socially affordable and rented properties in a highly sustainable town centre location which directly responds to identified needs in the borough for housing for vulnerable residents and care leavers."

Residents objected to the building's height and scale, potential overlooking, the loss of a protected poplar tree and fears that limited parking would push cars onto nearby streets. Wokingham Town Council raised similar concerns while welcoming the affordable housing.

Planning officers concluded the scheme would not cause unacceptable harm to neighbours' privacy, daylight or the character of the area and recommended approval. Changes to the application include removing a window facing a neighbour's property and fitting obscure glazing.

There will be six parking spaces - two accessible and four for visitors - with no general resident parking; a parking management plan aims to discourage on-street parking. Cycle storage will be provided and trees planted to offset those removed. The scheme will also contribute £17,127 to local healthcare, £3,000 for Station Road bus stop improvements and £4,500 for travel plan monitoring. Councillors unanimously approved the scheme.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter