THE COUNCIL is set to invest £30 million in a new housing development, which would see residents forced out of their homes.

Wokingham Borough Councillors will meet on May 16 to determine whether or not to demolish the housing on Gorse Ride Estate, and build new homes on the site.

If approved, the plans would see residents removed from their homes, with 178 dwellings demolished, and another 240 new homes will be built on the site.

The council has stated, however, that all residents will be re-homed and offered alternatives. 

If someone owns their own home in the area through right to buy, they will be offered the chance to own one of the new properties in the new development. 

Cllr Richard Dolinski, executive member for adults’ services, health, wellbeing and housing, said: "The Gorse Ride community is a strong one and we know many – both tenants and home owners – are keen to stay on the estate and we are delighted to have a plan that will allow them to do so.

“We have responded to tenants’ desire for tenancy that replicated as closely as possible those they currently have with the council and this proposal also allows for that. We have also worked closely with home owners to make sure their needs are met and have a range of options for them that would be discussed individually.”

The development would see the demolition of all homes in Billing Avenue, Dart Close, Orbit Close and Whittle Close (excluding numbers 19 to 26) as well as Gorse Ride South (numbers 8 to 42 even numbers only). 

These homes are deemed by the council to be unfit, and in poor condition, therefore the development is needed.

Cllr Dolinski explained: “Many of the existing houses are of pre-fabricated modular construction, in poor condition and difficult to maintain to a good standard. If approved by the executive, we will have the funding in place to replace them with the high quality homes with green open space that the community deserves.”