‘Chaos’ could blight the roads around Barkham as several major development works are all set to take place next year, a councillor has warned.

Projects by Wokingham Borough Council to build a solar farm, two special educational needs (SEND) schools and to extend a country park are all set to take place in Barkham in 2025.

One councillor warned disruption on the roads could ‘touch a very raw nerve’ with neighbours – with months of roadworks at the nearby California Crossroads set to last until September this year.

Finchampstead North councillor Charles Margetts said: “We’ve got the SEND school and the solar farm being built at the same time. That’s going to cause absolute chaos.

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“For residents of Finchampstead with California Crossroads going on at the moment, then this – it’ll be touching a very raw nerve.”

The list of developments confirmed or in the works includes:

  • Solar farm on land where Barkham Ride meets Barkham Street. Work set to take place during the spring and summer of 2025.
  • Two new SEND schools at Rooks Nest Farm on Barkham Ride. Work planned to last between early 2025 and summer 2026.
  • Tree planting at the new solar farm and at California Country Park set to take place between November 2024 and April 2025.
  • Rooks Nest Country Park extension – work expected between 2025 and 2026.
  • Adult social care accommodation at High Barn Farmhouse on Church Lane, Finchampstead – plan in early stages.
  • Gypsy, Traveller and travelling show people’s plots 15-20 plots proposed at High Barn Farm – included in draft local plan update, not yet confirmed.
  • 26 homes at 31 Barkham Ride – planning application by A1 Properties, pending approval
  • 56 homes at 33 Barkham Ride - planning application by Eliva Homes and Knowles Land, pending approval

Reading Chronicle:

Councillors discussed how they could try and minimise the disruption caused by all this development at a committee meeting on Wednesday, February 28.

Wokingham Borough Council leader Stephen Conway proposed a ‘programme board’ involving local councillors to coordinate the council’s development projects.

Councillor Margetts said it should have powers to control things such as delivery and construction plans – and block work if contractors don’t stick to them.

Council officer Sarah Morgan said the council would be able to control its own projects – but wouldn’t have the same powers over private developers or utility companies.

She said: “We will do everything we can to engage with those private developers that are around us constructing. I can’t compel them to coordinate with us. But we will do everything we can.”

Councillor Conway added that developers will have to abide by construction management plans as part of planning permission agreements. But he said the council has no powers to stop emergency works by utility companies.