Wokingham celebrates Jenrick's U-turn

A revision of the proposed planning changes which could have doubled numbers of homes in the Wokingham borough has been welcomed by the council.

But the rethink is likely to mean additional properties being built in Reading.

Housing Minister Robert Jenrick has announced the Government would not follow through with the proposals contained in the consultation and will instead continue the current approach with an additional focus on house building in London and another 19 towns and cities in England including Reading. In those places a 35 per cent rise in target numbers is required.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, has led a cross-party campaign against the proposals, asking residents to join the authority in its fight against the reforms that would see the housing need for the borough rise from 789 to 1,635 homes a year.

Cllr Halsall said: “This is great news for Wokingham borough. We fought this long and hard, and finally government saw sense and changed tack. Thank you to all borough residents, councillors and our dedicated MPs who joined us in this fight to preserve what we all love about Wokingham borough.”

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