In a highly contentious meeting of the Wokingham Borough Council, the Liberal Democrat-led administration approved the long-debated Local Plan, sparking frustration among residents and local councillors alike. The plan, which sets the framework for housing and development across the borough, passed despite vocal opposition and a key amendment tabled by Conservative councillors being voted down.
Cllr Joseph Barley and Cllr George Evans, both representing the Conservative group, put forward an amendment aimed at removing the controversial Hall Farm and Barkham Square sites from the plan. These sites have long been a source of concern for local residents, who fear the developments will irreparably damage the rural landscape and place undue strain on local infrastructure. Hall Farm and Barkham Square have been at the heart of heated debates, with community groups and campaigners rallying against the proposals. Cllr Barley and Cllr Evans sought to address these concerns through their amendment, which they argued was a reflection of the wishes of their constituents.
However, the Liberal Democrats, who control the council, voted down the amendment. This decision came as a shock to many, particularly as some of the Liberal Democrat councillors had campaigned against overdevelopment during their election campaigns. Despite these promises, all Liberal Democrats present at the meeting voted in favour of the Local Plan, including those who had previously expressed opposition to large-scale developments.
For many residents, the rejection of the amendment and the subsequent approval of the Local Plan represent a significant betrayal. Community members who had placed their trust in councillors campaigning on a platform of opposing unsustainable development were left disappointed, as the decision to keep Hall Farm and Barkham Square in the plan went against the expectations of those who supported these candidates.
Cllr Barley spoke after the meeting, expressing his disappointment at the outcome: "We put forward a sensible amendment that reflected the genuine concerns of the people we represent. Removing Hall Farm and Barkham Square would have preserved the character of our area and ensured that future developments were sustainable. The Liberal Democrats have chosen to ignore these concerns and push ahead with a plan that will see further significant development in the south of our borough."
Similarly, Cllr Evans added: "It’s deeply frustrating to see those who campaigned on promises to fight overdevelopment now voting for a plan that includes two of the most contentious sites in the borough which some of them promised would be removed if they were elected. This is not what residents were led to believe when they cast their votes."
The decision to approve the Local Plan is expected to have lasting implications for the borough. While the Liberal Democrat leadership argues that the plan is necessary to meet housing demand and government targets, critics maintain that it comes at the expense of the character and sustainability of local communities.
As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how the council's decision will impact future elections and the trust residents place in their representatives. The Conservative group has vowed to continue fighting for responsible development and to hold the Liberal Democrats accountable for their decisions.
