Wokingham plans 113 council homes at business park site

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 16:38 · Archive

Wokingham Borough Council is considering redeveloping Mulberry Business Park to build 113 social homes in a scheme expected to cost up to £35 million. The proposals include affordable homes and specialist accommodation for adults and children, which the council says is badly needed in the borough.

At a scrutiny meeting on 4 November, concerns were raised about what would happen to existing tenants. The Cowshed, a charity providing clothing and essentials to people experiencing hardship, currently operates from the site. Council officers said they could not commit to providing community space for the charity within the new development, as this could reduce the amount of affordable housing delivered.

Councillors sought assurances that existing tenants would be given as much notice as possible before leaving. Council leader Stephen Conway said the authority would seek to be flexible, stating: 'I have enormous sympathy. We will do all we can, but clearly we have an obligation as a council to make best use of this site.' The committee recommended maintaining dialogue with tenants and providing greater certainty over when they would need to leave.

The council is considering three options for the site: selling it, retaining it as a business park or redeveloping it.

How it is being reported

• Questions raised over plans to develop business park into 100 new council homesPlans to redevelop a Wokingham business park for more than 100 council homes have moved a step closer, despite concerns about the future of a charity currently based there.Reading Chronicle · 5 Nov, 16:00
• Questions raised over plans to develop business park into 100 new council homesPlans to redevelop a Wokingham business park for more than 100 council homes have moved a step closer, despite concerns about the future of a charity currently based there.Bracknell News · 5 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Wokingham Borough Council · Mulberry Business Park · The Cowshed · Stephen Conway · Wokingham

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