PLANS for thousands of new homes have taken a major leap forward after a huge funding bid was shortlisted for approval.

Designs between three local authorities could see 15,000 houses built in Grazeley and a £300m application could see the proposals become a reality.

Councillors are still keen to play down the importance of the cash windfall, insisting that the project would have to be given the green light in May 2019.

The massive development would stretch from the borders of Spencers Wood to Mortimer and neighbours in Grazeley have already voiced concerns over the proposals, including fears over increased traffic.

Councillor David Lee, deputy leader of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “The first thing to point out is that, while this is potentially important news, nothing has been decided yet in terms of the housing number we will be obliged to provide up to 2036.

"We do not have a final figure from the Government and we certainly do not yet know where we will allow homes to be built - because we are still working on and consulting over our Local Plan Update.

Reading Chronicle:

“The importance of this bid is that, if the Local Plan Update – after all the consultation still to be done on it – points to Grazeley as the right location for large-scale housing, we will need massive infrastructure investment to make it work.

"That is why we have asked for such a large sum; so we would be ready, if necessary, to plan and deliver infrastructure early in any development.”

The plans would see 15,000 homes built over 20 years, as well as shops and other facilities. The site is one of several options being considered by the three authorities, including Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire.

A bid for funding was sent to The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in September.

Cllr Tony Page, lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport and deputy leader, at Reading Borough Council, added: “We welcome this announcement as the need for additional housing, and in particular affordable housing, in the south east is without dispute.

"However, this level of new housing growth is simply not deliverable without the right infrastructure – such as schools, health, community facilities, and sustainable public transport – being in place in advance of the first houses being occupied.”