Wokingham

Having carefully analysed the ideas that were submitted in the first round of consultation on the exciting Key to the Gateway project back in the summer, Wokingham District Council has now prepared an outline brief and is inviting expressions of interest from the commercial sector.

“Your ideas are helping us move forward as we look for a commercial partner to help us deliver the new dynamic gateway we want at the south of the town centre,” said Wokingham District Council’s champion for town centres Cllr Chris Bowring.

The Key to the Gateway project aims to unlock the Wellington House and Elms Field area and make it the southern gateway to Wokingham town, developing and revitalising the south of the town centre.

The council’s brief includes enhancing the quality and value of open space at the site; encouraging pedestrian movement and improving linkages between the town centre, leisure area and station; introducing a range, mix and balance of uses and knocking down Wellington House.

The Wokingham council is inviting expressions of interest from developers from this month (November) and, once the responses are in, will look to select the best options to be worked up into full proposals. After this, the council will need to consider which proposals are viable and will then put suitable proposals before local residents, businesses and interested groups for their comments.

“We’re looking for strong, innovative proposals that will enhance this area of the town, complementing the existing market town and offering new development of which we can all be proud,” said Cllr Bowring

The area covered by the project encompasses Wellington House, Elms Field, the Paddocks car park and the nearby open space. Wellington House is becoming unsuitable for delivering council services and plans are being drawn up to vacate the building. Some of the existing open space is of low quality and the council wants to seize an exciting opportunity to make more of this area.

Wokingham District Council