Councillors in Wokingham have unanimously approved plans for major regeneration of the Gorse Ride South Estate.
Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee approved the authority’s own proposals to demolish all 178 homes on the 1970s council estate and replace them with 249 modern homes, at its December 9 meeting.
The new low carbon development, designed by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt architects and which spans 5.2 hectares, has been planned for around five years and is the largest community regeneration scheme the council has ever undertaken. Three quarters of the new estate homes will be affordable.
Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing, said: “This is a major milestone for the community and gives people confidence that we will keep moving forward at Gorse Ride and investing millions into the local community, delivering the properties that local people need.
“Whilst we know council budgets are under pressure it’s important that we keep on moving forward with ambitious projects like this.
“The existing properties are in poor condition and were never built to last this long. Yes, we could have simply refurbished them to bring them to a decent standard but this isn’t about simply meeting a decent standard.
“This is about showing that we are committed to supporting this great and strong local community and giving Gorse Ride residents the homes that they need and that they deserve”
The scheme, planned by Pegasus, will have electric charging points, 200 new trees and two play areas.
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