Wokingham

Ideas, comments and concerns are being carefully considered by Wokingham Borough Council after the Key to the Gateway exhibition and consultation closed on Friday August 10.

The six and a half-week exhibition at Wokingham council’s Shute End offices displayed proposed schemes as submitted by six developers. Over 12,000 households were invited to give their comments on the proposals in addition to interested local groups and organisations. Over 300 responses were received and officers are now analysing the responses as they begin to evaluate each of the submitted schemes.

Champion for town centres Wokingham Cllr Chris Bowring said: “I would like to stress that we will look carefully at all of the comments submitted. Thank you to everyone who submitted constructive comments on the proposals – these will assist us as we move forward to assess the schemes in detail.”

Respondents were asked to give their views on various aspects of the proposals, including town centre improvement, open space and outdoor facilities and design. People were also asked to identify which elements of the schemes they liked the most and which they liked the least.

Wokingham Officers and councillors will now be assessing each of the schemes in detail and selecting a final partner to work with on a scheme to take through the planning process. At that stage, people will once again be asked for their views.

Cllr Bowring said: “Although it is disappointing that we didn’t receive more responses on such an important subject, I would like to reassure people that this isn’t the last chance for them to comment. Once we have undertaken further design work and option appraisals, we will again be asking people for their comments before any planning application is submitted. I would encourage everyone to use this next opportunity to comment on the proposals.”

Looking to revitalise the area, the Key to the Wokingham Gateway project is an opportunity to create a must visit place for young and old, drawing them into the town centre. After an initial public consultation last summer, the council asked developers to submit ideas that achieve a balance between:

- providing a new southern gateway to the town centre

- improving the economic viability and social vitality of the town whilst maintaining its character

- providing high quality open space

- improving links between the town centre, Wellington Road leisure area and the railway station

- providing high quality and well-designed development

- considering the opportunities that evening and weekend trading might offer

- ensuring a financially viable scheme.

Wokingham Borough Council