Wokingham Borough Council has launched a consultation on a new Local Plan 2045 and is asking residents where thousands of new homes should be built.
The council says the current Local Plan Update is not yet adopted but changes to the planning system and much higher government housing targets mean another plan is needed. Under the revised formula, Wokingham's need is now about 1,300 homes a year - almost double previous calculations.
The consultation sets out options including expanding existing towns and villages, building at higher densities near town centres and stations, or creating new communities.
It names Wokingham, Woodley, Earley, Winnersh, Twyford, Arborfield Green and Shinfield as the borough's major settlements, and lists Finchampstead North, Spencers Wood, Three Mile Cross, Wargrave and Pinewood as "modest settlements" that could also take growth.
Residents are being asked where settlement boundaries could expand and whether some places could move up the borough's settlement hierarchy if new infrastructure such as schools, public transport and healthcare is provided.
The council says protecting gaps between settlements can preserve local identity but may limit opportunities for sustainable housing. Officials also accept previously developed land alone will not meet demand, so further greenfield development is likely.
The public is asked whether they would support higher-density housing near town centres, bus routes and stations, including taller buildings, reduced parking provision and less on-site green space.
No decisions have been made. The consultation runs until 16 November. Read the full document and submit comments at https://tinyurl.com/yeynk2cy.
Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter
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