Wokingham Borough Council has welcomed the announcement yesterday (July 18) by Secretary of State for Defence Dr Liam Fox MP that the REME Garrison at Arborfield will vacate the site at the latest by 2014/15. The announcement confirms the council’s on going discussions with the Ministry of Defence.

Arborfield Garrison was identified in the council’s adopted core strategy as part of one of four Strategic Development Locations (SDLs). Together with South of the M4, North Wokingham and South Wokingham SDLs, it will provide for part of Wokingham Borough’s housing needs up until 2026.  The whole Arborfield SDL will provide around 3,500 dwellings.

Executive member for strategic highways and planning Cllr Angus Ross said: "The army has been part of Arborfield for almost a century and it is an association we are proud of. However, the announcement by the Secretary of State that the site will be vacated in 2014/15 comes at an opportune time as we are preparing to consider the new masterplans in the next few months.  This announcement enables us to positively plan this development with more certainty – not only providing more housing but also a secondary school and primary schools for the south of the borough, along with other commercial and community developments." 

At a special meeting of the executive on June 2, councillors decided to undertake consultation on new Arborfield, South of the M4, North and South Wokingham supplementary planning documents. Views are also wanted on a new Infrastructure Delivery and Contributions SPD, the document which outlines how developers should contribute to the infrastructure required to support the new developments.

The new plans take into account changes since the last round of consultation, particularly as work has progressed in terms of infrastructure. People are also being asked for their views on a new Strategic Environmental Assessment, which sets out the likely environmental impact of the plans.

Interested parties have until July 27 to make their views known.  The SPDs and related documents can be found on the council’s website and they are also available to view at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm.  Comments can either be emailed to spd@wokingham.gov.uk or sent by post to: Cris Lancaster, Masterplanner, Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 1WL.

Cllr Ross added: "We are conscious that these plans are fundamental in setting the future direction of our borough and want to make sure that people are able to make their views known.

"While we have undertaken our largest ever consultation exercise in preparing these plans, we have now prepared documents which further take account of people’s comments. I’m asking everyone to look again at the five SPDs and have their say. Interested parties must let us know their views by July 27."