Major 2,800 Home Plan Unveiled Near Reading

A massive plan for 2,800 homes between Reading and Wokingham has been submitted.

A major proposal for 2,800 homes between Reading and Wokingham has been put forward. This project, known as Loddon Valley Garden Village, aims to create nearly 4,000 homes south of the M4 over several phases.

The site includes multiple fields owned by the University of Reading, which will transform into a new community featuring two primary schools, a secondary school, and various community facilities.

In addition to the homes and schools, the plan includes retail and employment spaces, a large country park, leisure facilities, green areas, and 20 pitches for gypsies and travellers.

Submitted to Wokingham Borough Council, the development will be located in Arborfield and Newland Parish. This area is part of the council's draft local plan, which highlights where homes will be constructed in the borough until 2040.

However, the project faces opposition from the Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE) campaign group, which is concerned about potential strain on the existing road network entering and leaving Reading.

To address these traffic concerns, plans include the construction of new roads, bridges over the M4 and River Loddon, as well as pedestrian and cycling pathways.

The council is currently holding a public consultation, encouraging citizens to share their views on the proposal. Councillor Martin Alder, from the Liberal Democrats, emphasised the importance of public feedback in the decision-making process, calling for community engagement.

To view the planning application, reference 252498 can be entered into the council’s planning portal. The consultation is live until Friday, January 16, 2026.

Two additional planning applications by Gleeson Land and Hatch Farm are expected to be submitted soon, which could raise the total to 3,930 homes planned for the area.

This garden village concept mirrors an earlier plan for thousands of homes in Grazeley, which was scrapped due to its proximity to atomic weapon facilities.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter