Published: Tuesday, 9th February, 2010 12:00pm

'High quality housing in all the right places'

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A MASTERPLAN setting out where thousands of homes will be built over the coming decade got final approval from councillors.

Wokingham borough's Core Strategy, which also covers transport, the environment, infrastructure and all other aspects of development, was declared 'sound' by a Government inspector in November subject to four changes and last week councillors gave the final product their backing.

The ruling Tories voted in favour at the full council meeting on Thursday, but the Lib Dems abstained, saying they recognised its importance so would not vote against, but neither could they vote for because of their concerns about the thousands of homes planned north of Wokingham.

Deputy leader Cllr Stephen Conway, who had a large role in shaping parts of the strategy, said: "The only honourable thing for us to do is abstain."

Cllr Gary Cowan, executive member for local and regional planning, said: "The council is committed to protecting Wokingham borough and our residents' quality of life and, whilst we have to accommodate this housing, our Core Strategy will ensure that it is done in the best possible way.

"We will have high quality housing in the right places, with the right infrastructure - roads, sustainable transport, schools, health centres and community facilities that are fit for the 21st century - paid for in large part by the developers themselves."

The Core Strategy disperses 75% of the 13,000 homes that the Government says must be built in the borough across four main zones, known as strategic development locations - south of Wokingham (2,500 homes), north of Wokingham (1,500 homes), Arborfield Garrison (3,500 homes) and south of the M4 between Shinfield and Spencers Wood (2,500 homes).

It also gives general approval for Reading University's planned science and innovation park on its land at Cutbush Lane, Shinfield. Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee will decide tonight (Wednesday) whether to grant outline planning permission to the science park.