Local Conservative councillors have launched a campaign calling on Wokingham Borough Council to firmly protect the borough’s green belt and other open spaces as work progresses on a new Local Plan.
Campaign demands
The initiative comes after the council issued a call for sites — a request for possible locations to be considered for future development — and reflects rising concern among some councillors and residents about the potential loss of protected countryside.
The campaign sets out a series of firm expectations for planners and elected members, including a requirement that previously developed or brownfield land is prioritised before any consideration is given to releasing green belt land.
- Oppose development on green belt land and other valued green spaces.
- Prioritise brownfield and previously developed sites before considering green belt release.
- Ensure major developments are supported by adequate roads, schools, GP surgeries and public transport.
- Work with local communities to protect the character of towns and villages.
- Protect countryside, habitats and green spaces for future generations.
Local voice and context
Wayne Smith, the Conservative councillor for Thames ward and a member of the borough council planning committee, described the green belt as one of the Borough's most important assets and warned against unchecked release of countryside for housing.
“Wokingham’s green belt is one of our borough’s greatest assets. It protects the character of our towns and villages, prevents urban sprawl and gives residents access to the countryside that makes Wokingham such a special place to live.”
He said the borough must deliver “the right homes in the right places” and argued that development should not require building on protected land. He also criticised delays in advancing the previous Local Plan, suggesting that the absence of an up-to-date, agreed plan has increased the risk of successful appeals by developers where planning permissions are refused.
Implications for the Local Plan process
The campaign draws attention to two linked issues that will be central to the Local Plan: how to meet housing needs, and how to ensure infrastructure — roads, schools and health services — is planned and funded alongside new homes. The councillors say the council should be able to demonstrate that brownfield opportunities have been properly pursued and that necessary infrastructure can be delivered before any green belt land is allocated.
| Issue | Campaign position |
|---|---|
| Green belt release | Opposed unless all alternatives exhausted |
| Brownfield sites | To be prioritised for development |
| Supporting infrastructure | Must be demonstrated deliverable with major development |
The council’s call for sites is a standard stage in plan-making intended to identify the full range of locations that might be suitable for future housing, employment or other uses. The responses received will inform subsequent technical studies and public consultations that lead to draft plan policies.
Residents and community groups are likely to scrutinise the process closely: decisions about which land is allocated for development determine how towns and villages change, where new facilities will be needed, and how open countryside is preserved.
As the Local Plan work proceeds, the debate will centre on balancing the need for new homes with the desire to maintain the borough’s character and ensure infrastructure keeps pace. The Conservative campaign aims to place those priorities at the heart of the council’s approach.
