On the new local plan
Last week, we revealed that Wokingham Borough Council is seeking residents’ views on the new local plan. Here’s some of your comments from our Facebook page:
The local plan is essential; it’s not just about housing, it’s about the way the borough wants to run and grow and support us all.
The impact of the plan is seen on education, health and social care. When done well it will benefit us all.
My comments will be about the size, type and affordability of the houses.
We need council houses for the families who can’t afford the astronomical private rents; and this will increase once universal credit roles out; we currently send many to reading and Bracknell and Slough and this can’t continue.
We need accessible homes for disabled and older people as we develop mobility issues; the cost of bungalows is inflated because of a lack of accessible housing stock and there are almost no purpose built accessible units.
If these aren’t built then the council will have to cover the bills of adapting people’s current housing.
We need actually “affordable” flats and smaller houses at the bottom of the housing ladder; our children can’t and won’t be able to afford to stay in the area and that means we’ll need more social care budgets for older generations because there will be no family support; and who will work in the shops, care services and council if all the young people have to move away?
The only alternative to a local plan with additional homes is if people move away when they retire and sell their houses at an affordable rate for the families who need them - I can’t see many liking that option.
Emma Major
No more houses, green space can’t be continuously lost its bad for the environment and wildlife.
There is no housing crisis in Britain, as the British citizens aren’t growing in number.
There is only an immigration crisis which then drives up the demand for housing, there is a simple solution to all this and that is stop all immigration so net migration is no longer a thing.
Alex Woodrow
As John Redwood has recently proved that he’s pretty good with a shovel.
Perhaps he’ll be happy to replant all the trees that will be chopped down in the process of building all these new houses.
Chances are WBC won’t listen to residents but that doesn’t mean we can’t send them a very clear message.
We’re also the lowest funded unitary authority so they need to be pushing hard for more overall funding.
We deserve better.
Annabel Yoxall
We need to assimilate the new communities we’re already getting before we get more. We don’t yet have the amenities or the infrastructure to cope ... slow down, assert your position on our behalf and act more in the interests of Wokingham residents - current and future ... please!
Peter J Simonson
Think I’ll move , I’ve been here 31 years and I’ve seen Wokingham change … if even more houses are to be built then I can’t see how that’s going to improve this once small market town …
Can we say no to more housing?
Susie Green
I believe W’ham and Bracknell boroughs (particularly W’ham) take up the majority of the counties’ ( Berkshire’s) housing quotas ... West Berks is full of AONB’s (north Wessex downs) and you can’t build on them for love nor money, Slough is full to the hilt, Reading too small and full Windsor and Maidenhead are full of green belt ( plus Theresa May’s stomping ground ) so that leaves W’ham and Bracknell to take up the short fall ... housing developments seem intense in W’ham because it is.
Alexandra Fraser
If the council want to build something, build more schools or better yet build something that will help families that suffer with disabilities such as Autism and down syndrome and have in that place a hideaway for the parents to escape to get some well earned rest.
Daniel Partridge
Get involved. Don’t shrug your shoulders and say “Too busy” and then complain when you don’t like what happens.
David Nash
n Why? Why must we build 8500 houses in 10 years? Why don’t they go back to government and say no? Who decided the Wokingham District should have 8500?
Caroline Boardman