Wokingham

An important and groundbreaking new guide on residential design is set to be published by Wokingham Borough Council.

At its meeting on Thursday March 29, Wokingham council’s decision-making executive is being asked to give the go-ahead to a six-week consultation on a residential design guide for the borough.

The initial idea for an authoritative guide arose from discussions between Cllr Gary Cowan, executive member for Wokingham local and regional planning, and Cllr David Lee, chairman of Wokingham council’s planning committee, when they identified a need to ensure that future developments on small, infill and backland sites would be in harmony with the surrounding environment.

They formed a joint member and officer group, then led a bus tour of local Wokingham sites to help confirm their concerns and issues. After agreeing parameters for the guide, the renowned award winning town planning and environmental design group Terence O’ Rourke Ltd were appointed to develop the project. Meetings were held with residents and town and parish councils to establish expectations of what an authoritative guide on residential design might contain.

Richard Summers, technical director with Terence O’Rourke Ltd, said: “Consultees were particularly keen to have greater control over the evolving character of housing in the district and to have guidance that concentrates on raising quality first and densities second.”

The document has taken into account considerable feedback and the executive is now being asked to approve it for consultation

Cllr Cowan, executive member for Wokingham local and regional planning, said: “The guide looks into all considerations that need to be made in creating safe, harmonious, welcoming places to live, especially recognising the importance of local character and context. At the same time, the guide won’t be ‘twee’, nor a cure for all design ills. Its primary purpose is to be a useful tool to ensure good quality design in the wider sense, using the very best of both modern and traditional thinking. I would like to thank all of the planning service in Wokingham Borough Council and Terence O’Rourke Associates for all of the excellent work that has gone into this innovative and important project.”

Cllr David Lee, chairman of Wokingham council’s planning committee, said: “A particular benefit of the guide is the way it provides clear and practical guidelines, with case studies that are easy to identify with. Should the executive give the go-ahead, the guide will be more than an example of Wokingham Borough Council applying good practice. We wanted it to go one step further, by setting bold new standards in residential design guidance that could well be adopted elsewhere.”

If given the green light, the consultation will start on March 30 and run for six weeks. The guide will be available on the website or for inspection in hard copy at the Planning reception desk at the council’s Shute End offices. Comments can be sent to Development Control, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN or emailed to development.control@wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham Borough Council