Plans have been revealed for hundreds of homes that could be built on farmland between Reading and Wokingham.
A new housing project could see 600 homes built on Hatch Farm as an extension of Sindlesham, with the site being bounded by the M4.
The landowner, Hatch Farm Land Ltd, is inviting neighbours and stakeholders to take part in a consultation into the project, which would be one of the first major developments within the emerging Loddon Valley Garden Village.
The 69 acre (28 hectare) site would become the garden village’s northeastern gateway and set early standards for sustainability, landscape design and community infrastructure.
The project would deliver 600 net zero homes with a new local centre and mobility hub, a new road link to Hatch Farm Way, creating an alternative to Mill Lane, and extensive green spaces, play areas, allotments and orchards.
The developers stated they also want to create a ‘landscape-led’ design that works with the natural environment, delivering a greater range of wildlife habitats than the current site, and enhanced walking, cycling and bus links.
They are aiming to deliver a 20 per cent biodiversity net gain on the site if the project is approved.
The consultation is taking place ahead of a planning application being submitted to Wokingham Borough Council, the governing authority for Sindlesham.
This application is expected to be submitted in June, with the development proposed to come forward in phases from 2027 onwards.
You can take part in the public consultation on https://hatch-farm.co.uk/ or by calling 0800 028 5485.
The consultation closes Friday, May 22.
Geoff Wilde, Director at Hatch Farm Land Ltd, said: “Hatch Farm is a once in a generation opportunity to create a neighbourhood that puts nature, community and long term stewardship at its heart.
“We’re committed to delivering a place that feels connected to its surroundings, provides real benefits for existing residents, and sets the tone for the wider Garden Village.
“We’re looking forward to hearing from the community and shaping the plans together.”
The site is located in the Winnersh ward of Wokingham Borough.
A webinar explaining the project is available for repeat viewing on the Hatch Farm website.
During a Q&A session, resident Daniel Hayman raised concerns about flooding, after it was stated that the site is at a low risk of flooding.
Mr Hayman said: “The River Loddon floods every year, so how can that be a low risk?”
Ed Fambely, the associate director at Ardent Consulting Engineers, replied: “The majority of the site is located within Flood Zone 1, which is land having less than 0.1 per cent annual probability of flooding.
“This is due to the topography of the site, so we’ve got the fall from south to north, so it means that the water won’t make its way up into the site.
“We have got areas of land within the northwestern corner that will have a medium to high risk of flooding, but as part of the mitigation measures, we are not proposing any built development within that area.”
