Work is underway on an update to Wokingham Borough Council’s Local Plan which will shape the future of Wokingham Borough.
Residents are being invited to join the conversation and have their say, as the first formal consultation on the plan runs from Thursday (4 August) to 30 September.
The Local Plan Update will guide development in the borough for the next 20 years.
The borough council knows it will have to plan for more housing, but will also need more land for employment, schools, roads, parks, shops and community facilities to create places people want to live, work, play and do business. It is in the early stages of producing this plan and expect to complete it by 2019.
Currently, the council is at the ‘Issues and Options’ stage of the Local Plan Update, which is the first formal opportunity for public consultation. This stage is still early in the process - no decisions have yet been made - so this is the chance for local people to share their views on how they want to see Wokingham Borough grow in the future.
An online form will be available from Thursday (4 August) to Friday 20 September or via email at: LPU@wokingham.gov.uk.
The council will also be attending events this summer to ask residents what they like about living in the Wokingham Borough and what needs to be considered when creating the Local Plan Update.
- Earley Green Fair – Saturday August 6
- Wokingham Festival – Friday August 26
- Swallowfield Show – Monday August 29
Residents can also share their views in the lobby of the civic offices on Shute End, Wokingham from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday 9 August and Wednesday 17 August.
To reach as many people as possible, the council will be sending out questions (one per week on Fridays) via Facebook and Twitter throughout August.
Wokingham Borough Council’s deputy executive member for planning, regeneration and community, Cllr Chris Bowring, said: "It is important to understand that the Local Plan Update is about more than just new homes. It will also establish what needs to come with those homes – new schools, new roads and other transport investment, new parks and play areas, new sporting and community facilities, and all the other things that make communities work. It is also about maintaining our current high quality of life, ensuring we remain an economic success story and protecting what is most important in our environment.
"This is the time for you to really help shape our future. The Issues and Options stage is still early in the process - no decisions have yet been made - so giving us your views on how you want to see Wokingham Borough grow in the future is vital.
"We want to hear from as many people as possible, so in addition to the required public consultation, we are going above and beyond by going out to the events our residents are attending and using social media to get your views."
More information about the Local Plan Update can be found on the council’s website. To receive email updates about each of the Local Plan Update consultations please email: lpu@wokingham.gov.uk.
