Wokingham plans 100+ affordable homes at Mulberry Business Park

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 11:49 · Archive

Wokingham Borough Council proposes converting Mulberry Business Park offices into more than 100 affordable and specialist homes.

Wokingham Borough Council is considering a proposal to redevelop Mulberry Business Park into more than 100 new affordable and specialist homes. The development would include accessible and adaptable homes, accommodation for care leavers, specialist adult social care housing, and general needs housing, if planning permission is granted.

The council purchased Mulberry Business Park in 2018 as an investment, but the site has become costly following the decline in office demand after the Covid-19 pandemic, with the council spending more than £800,000 annually on it. Councillor Stephen Conway, leader of the council and executive member for housing, said the scheme would address 'one of the borough's greatest needs' for social housing to help those at risk of homelessness, care leavers, people with physical disabilities and local families unable to afford private accommodation.

The Cowshed charity, which supports people in crisis across Berkshire and moved into Rubra Two at the site in July 2023, has raised concerns over the proposals. Sally Russell, founder and chief executive, said the charity understands the need for affordable housing but questioned whether converting old office buildings in a business park is 'the right answer', and launched a public petition seeking to remain at its location.

The council's proposals will be considered by its Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 4 November, with an executive decision due on 26 November.

How it is being reported

• Charity fears displacement as council plans affordable housing at its siteWokingham charity The Cowshed fears council plans to convert Mulberry Business Park offices into affordable housing could force relocation, prompting a petition.Reading Chronicle · 30 Oct, 10:59
• Charity fears displacement as council plans affordable housing at its siteWokingham charity The Cowshed fears council plans to convert Mulberry Business Park offices into affordable housing could force relocation, prompting a petition.Bracknell News · 30 Oct, 10:59
• Wokingham plans more than 100 affordable homes at Mulberry Business ParkMore than 100 new affordable and specialist homes could be built in a major development plan.Bracknell News · 29 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Wokingham Borough Council · Mulberry Business Park · The Cowshed · Sally Russell · Councillor Stephen Conway · Wokingham · Berkshire

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