Residents Rally Against 600-Home Development Plans

Neighbours have slammed plans for 600 new homes in the early-stage Loddon Valley Garden Village between Reading and Wokingham, warning it will pile pressure on roads, services and change the area's character.

The proposal would add 600 houses immediately south of the M4 as a suburban extension to Sindlesham in Winnersh Parish. A consultation launched in May closed on May 22 and developers are due to submit a planning application to Wokingham Borough Council this month, with the council's planning committee expected to decide in December.

On Facebook local people were largely dismissive. David Partridge said: "The BS these people come up with, 'creating a wider garden village' - it's a housing estate of 600 houses on top of each other, nothing wrong with that, but stop the nonsense.

"People will still buy them because it's 'Wokingham' but they are very quickly destroying this area of what made it special and in 10 years time it'll be unrecognisable."

Rupert Bear commented: "Wokingham is turning into Slough."

Cheryl Bradley warned about traffic: "Great! We already are standstill traffic driving up that road, and apparently another 600 is fine. Why so much density here?"

Polly Bradley-Brock mourned the towns change: "What a gorgeous town it [Wokingham] was for my parents ( mum is nearly 80), and I to grow up in.

"When I was thinking about homeowning, I decided I was going to knuckle down and try to buy a house there.

"However, it got so built up, and it lost that lovely feel, so for now I'm in the New Forest and coastal area.

"I still love to come back for a visit, but it saddens me to see the new housing and the change. Who approved the housing out towards Holme Grange village!

"Heartbreaking. I know things must change, but the traffic is a huge problem. It only affects me once a month. But my poor colleagues! Molly Millers Lane area has been a nightmare."

Cheryl Harvey added: "Garden Village? Like Bucklers Park prison camp, I presume!"

Jo Ilott said: "Enough. The roads, infrastructure, doctors, hospitals, dentists, schools CANNOT COPE with the amount of houses being built now.

"Stop trying to make one huge city by combining Wokingham, Bracknell and Crowthorne with Reading.

"You are destroying much-needed habitat for our wildlife, we need to protect it!!!!"

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter