Public engagement on the 2,500‑home North East Thatcham development starts today (Friday).
The site was allocated through the Local Plan Review and has been described as 'putting a town the size of Hungerford on to Thatcham'.
Plans include community facilities - local centres, healthcare and education - plus two new primary schools and land set aside for a secondary, all part of the masterplan consultation.
Meanwhile Thatcham Park CE Primary School is being expanded to increase nursery capacity, due to finish in the summer term 2026. A new community hub is also being shaped by residents (consultation closed on March 10, 2026).
About half the site is planned as a community park.
This public engagement lets residents and stakeholders review work so far and feed into the draft masterplan; feedback will inform the council's next steps. The events are run by external consultant DevComms.
Drop‑in sessions for the public are:
Today (Friday), 4.30pm to 8pm at Bucklebury Memorial Hall, 57 Broad Lane, Upper Bucklebury RG7 6QH.
Monday, April 27, 4pm to 8pm at Thatcham Parish Hall, Chapel Street, Thatcham RG18 4QL.
Thursday, April 30, 4pm to 8pm at Acland Memorial Hall, Hermitage Rd, Cold Ash RG18 9JH.
Consultation on the draft masterplan will take place in the summer before the final version is presented to the council for adoption.
West Berkshire Council revised the Local Plan to 2041 after the Government demanded extra housing, raising the overall requirement from at least 8,721 to at least 9,270 homes. As a result, the North East Thatcham allocation was increased from 1,500 to 2,500 dwellings.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
