The Planning Committee of Wokingham Council met on Wednesday 14 October 2026 to discuss several planning applications. The committee unanimously approved the application for a part single, part two-storey side and rear extension at 8 Milton Road, Earley. They also approved the application for a change of use from a dwellinghouse to a large house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 41 Harcourt Drive, Earley, despite significant resident objections regarding parking. The committee voted to refuse the application for up to 44 dwellings on land north of Sun Lane, Riseley, due to sustainability concerns. Finally, the committee unanimously approved the application for a 21-unit apartment building on land at the junction of Wellington Road and Station Road, Wokingham, which will be 100% affordable housing. The committee resolved to defer a large hybrid application for a mixed-use development on land west of Old Wokingham Road and north and south of Easthampstead Road, Wokingham, to a later date due to the complexity and time constraints.

8 Milton Road, Earley

The committee unanimously approved the application for a part single, part two-storey side and rear extension at 8 Milton Road, Earley. The proposal, which involved the demolition of an existing shed, utility room, pergola, and garage, was amended during the application process to address concerns about scale, proximity to boundaries, and roof design. Revised plans introduced a separation from the side boundary with No. 6 Milton Road and replaced the originally proposed gable roof with a hipped roof. Objectors had raised concerns about the extension's scale, proximity to the boundary, loss of light, overlooking, and impact on the street scene. Officers concluded that the revised proposal was acceptable in terms of its impact on the character of the host dwelling and wider street scene, and would not result in unacceptable harm to neighbouring residential amenity or highway safety.

41 Harcourt Drive, Earley

The committee approved the application for a change of use from a dwellinghouse to a large, eight-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 41 Harcourt Drive, Earley. The proposal also included infilling of the undercroft, erection of part single and part two-storey rear extensions, alterations to the front driveway, and internal alterations. Significant objections were raised by residents and Earley Town Council concerning inadequate parking provision, highway safety, HMO concentration, impact on the area's character, residential amenity, refuse storage, and ecological matters. The Highway Authority raised no objection in principle to the proposed parking arrangements, noting the lack of specific adopted parking standards for HMOs and the availability of on-street parking. Conditions were imposed to secure cycle parking, bin storage, maximum occupancy, and retention of communal accommodation.

Land North of Sun Lane, Riseley

The committee refused the application for up to 44 dwellings on land north of Sun Lane, Riseley. The decision was primarily based on concerns regarding the site's sustainability, including poor accessibility to services and limited public transport options, which conflicted with local and national planning policies. Objectors, including Swallowfield Parish Council and local residents, highlighted issues with traffic levels, inadequate bus services, lack of local schools and GP capacity, flooding risks, and landscape harm. While the proposal offered affordable housing and financial contributions towards infrastructure, the committee found that these benefits did not substantially outweigh the identified adverse impacts, particularly concerning sustainability.

Land at the Junction of Wellington Road and Station Road, Wokingham

The committee unanimously approved the application for the erection of a three-storey apartment building comprising 21 residential units at the junction of Wellington Road and Station Road, Wokingham. The development will provide 100% affordable housing in Social Rent tenure. Concerns were raised by Wokingham Town Council and residents regarding the building's mass and height, overlooking of Park Road properties, lack of on-site parking, and the adoption of Park Road. Officers addressed these concerns, noting the town centre context, the building's design response to its location, and the proposed car-free approach supported by a robust travel plan. Conditions were imposed to secure detailed construction management plans, materials, and the retention of communal accommodation. The loss of a protected Poplar tree was acknowledged but considered outweighed by the benefits of the development.

Land West of Old Wokingham Road and North and South of Easthampstead Road, Wokingham

The committee resolved to defer the hybrid application for a mixed-use, residential-led development of up to 850 homes and community facilities on land west of Old Wokingham Road and north and south of Easthampstead Road, Wokingham. The decision to defer was made due to the complexity and scale of the application, with two further cases still to be heard and the meeting needing to conclude by 11:00 PM. The committee agreed to extend the meeting time to 11:00 PM but determined that a proper consideration of this significant application would not be possible within the remaining time. The application will be brought back to a future committee meeting. The proposal is for an outline application with all matters reserved except for means of access, and includes a full application for Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). The development is intended to form part of the South Wokingham Strategic Development Location (SDL) extension. Concerns raised during consultation included highway impacts, sustainability, landscape harm, infrastructure capacity, and the loss of agricultural land. The officer's recommendation was for approval subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions.