New Park Proposal Could Transform Arborfield Area

A new 17.73 hectare park could be created off Observer Way in Arborfield if Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee approves a scheme at a meeting tonight, Wednesday, July 8. The park is linked to plans for up to 135 new houses on the southern part of the site.

The fields are part of Duck's Nest Farm and sit in amber and red zones for great crested newts. The land would be kept free of buildings in perpetuity and laid out as a public natural park.

Planned features include formal paths, new planting, seating, signage and retained field boundaries and hedgerows to keep a semi‑natural feel while remaining managed and accessible.

Access would be from an upgraded entrance on Observer Way, with a small car park of 12 spaces including one disabled bay, plus new walking and cycling links into the wider rights of way network.

The council wants the park in public ownership, backed by a long‑term maintenance sum of about £1.54 million to keep it safe, attractive and usable.

Visitors would get a network of circular routes surfaced in hoggin, mown paths, wayfinding boards, information panels, benches and litter bins. Dog‑friendly post‑and‑rail fencing with dog‑proof mesh and a pond with safety measures are included.

The park would link directly into Public Right of Way Arborfield Footpath 17 along the northern edge, with new access at the western and northern corners to encourage walks between Arborfield Cross, the park and the Greenway.

The footpath inside the site would be resurfaced in hoggin and the scheme bids for a £63,350 contribution to upgrade sections beyond the site expected to see heavier use.

Planning officers say dedicating the northern and western parts as permanent open countryside helps keep a visible gap between Arborfield Cross and Arborfield Green, easing long‑running coalescence fears. The planning policy team accepts this retention as a key reason they no longer consider the proposal causes unacceptable coalescence.

But the council's tree and landscape officer warns building on the southern fields will still cause moderate to significant harm to the countryside's character and to the Farley Hill valued landscape, even if the park moderates some impact.

Some vegetation in a Green Route Enhancement Area on Eversley Road would be lost to create a new arm on the roundabout. Officers call it a disappointing but limited incursion, partly offset by new walking and cycling links.

The park is part of a hybrid application from David Wilson Homes, also known as BDW Trading Ltd, which seeks outline permission for up to 135 homes on the southern site, with 40 per cent affordable housing.

A legal agreement would secure on‑site management of open spaces, long‑term stewardship or transfer of the park, biodiversity net gain of more than 10 per cent, and financial contributions towards parks, sports, allotments, health services, bus improvements and active travel.

Officers recommend councillors approve the park and housing in principle, subject to conditions, the legal agreement and confirmation the developer joins the council's district licensing scheme for great crested newts. Ecologists also want a Badger survey before work starts and mitigation to allow Badgers to live nearby. If the legal agreement is not completed within eight months, or required wildlife licences are not secured, officers advise planning permission should be refused.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter