Outline plans for up to 70 homes in Arborfield go before councillors on Wednesday with a recommendation for approval.
An application by Croudace Homes, Vortal Homes and Falcon Developments (SE) to develop land to the north of School Road at Arborfield Cross, will be considered by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee on July 9.
The scheme is a scaled down and revised version of a plan for up to 95 homes by the same applicants which was refused in December 2024 for 20 reasons, many relating to the lack of a s106 agreement.
The council also said it was inappropriate, unplanned development outside of development limits within the countryside.
In 2018 an earlier scheme for up to 120 homes was refused for similar reasons.
The current scheme, planned for the western 5.52 hectares of the original 8.25-hectare site, arranged around a central green. Forty per cent of the homes will be affordable. It proposes a biodiversity net gain of 34.48 per cent.
The council cannot demonstrate a five-year land supply and the agenda to the meeting states it can demonstrate just 1.7-years’ supply.
The application’s design & access statement concludes: “The revised proposal for land north of School Road takes a thoughtful and responsive approach, incorporating feedback from the previous application to create a well-integrated neighbourhood that respects the character of Arborfield Cross.
“Key updates include a centrally located green space, stronger landscape buffers, and an improved access strategy. These refinements ensure the development blends naturally with its surroundings while enhancing local connectivity and green infrastructure.
“Our focus remains on high-quality placemaking, delivering new homes in a sustainable and sensitive manner while exceeding national design and environmental standards.”
The team on the project includes Marrons on planning and design, Transport Planning Associates on transport and Abley Letchford Partnership on flood risk.
At the same meeting Cala Homes’ full planning application to build 48 homes at Hogwood Farm is also recommended for approval.
The meeting agenda is at https://wokingham.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s79648/250735.pdf
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