Wokingham

“Wokingham town centre needs our help and we’re determined to see that it gets it!” That’s the message from Wokingham District Council’s executive member for community development Cllr Dianne King as the council gets set to consider a landmark memorandum of understanding.

At its meeting on Thursday March 30, the Wokingham council’s decision-making executive is being recommended to enter into a memorandum of understanding which broadly sets out the respective roles of the council and developer in the development process.

Wokingham district council recognises that the redevelopment of the buildings around Rose Street car park is key to Wokingham town centre’s future success, ensuring continued vibrancy for the years to come. “It’s important, however, that we get the right development for the town centre, and we’ve been working hard for a long time now to enable this to happen,” said Cllr King.

The proposed memorandum of understanding would set out what the developer is prepared to commit to (including timescales for development) should the desired planning permission be granted. Also, just how far Wokingham council is prepared to go to ensure that this development in the town centre is suitable and proceeds as quickly as is practicable which may include, if necessary, use of Compulsory Purchase powers. It would provide the framework for a formal development agreement that would flesh out the precise roles of the parties and crystallise their commitment to the scheme.

Developers Rock Investment Group Plc, who are a significant landowner in the site earmarked for development, have been working closely with Wokingham district council to discuss the right way forward for a proposed development of the buildings around Rose Street car park, looking to rejuvenate the street scene, attract new businesses and create a pleasant shopping and leisure area in this part of the town.

Proposals have now been extended to include the Marks and Spencer’s car park, allowing greater flexibility for any planned redevelopment. The store has affirmed its commitment to Wokingham town and is keen to be a part of any improvements to the town centre.

Current plans for the town centre include a mixture of shops, restaurants and residential units with a new pedestrianised street and small square.

Rock Investment Group will be drawing up more detailed plans for the redevelopment and carrying out public consultation in the coming weeks, prior to the submission of a full planning application.

Wokingham Cllr King said: “Compulsory purchase orders are always the last resort, and not a route that anyone wishes to follow. We have, however, said that we will consider exercising our statutory powers if it looks as though the future of our town centre could be threatened. We all agree that our market town desperately needs revitalising and we must be prepared to consider using all tools available to us as a council in order to make sure that this happens.

“Wokingham has a thriving community and we want to make sure that it has a town centre to match.”

Roger Smee of Rock Investment Group plc said: “We’re committed to making sure that Wokingham gets the quality development it deserves fitting to the town centre and want to make sure that the Wokingham community is involved in the process. We’re working closely with the council to draft up new proposals and will shortly undertake public consultation to gather comments and opinions.”

Rock Investment Group plc has made assurances to the council that it will submit a detailed planning application by May of this year, following public consultation on the proposals. The plans will then be subject to the usual independent scrutiny through the planning process including formal public consultation.

Wokingham District Council