PLANS for first-time property buyers to get on to the property ladder in Wokingham have moved a step forward.

The council is spearheading a “community-led self-build scheme” on council-owned land at Wheatsheaf Close, Sindlesham, where residents can “assume responsibility for the design and management of the build alongside choosing how involved to be in the

actual build process.”

A report produced for the council read: “The development of this council-owned site will contribute to meeting housing need by enabling local residents get onto the housing ladder, and involving them directly in the design and delivery of their new homes.”

The scheme would see 13 detached houses become available for shared ownership, with another 8 homes set to go on the open market .

A report claimed there was a demand for self-build and self-finish plots in the borough.

The site is located around 1.5km away from the Winnersh district centre and is currently council-owned.

Plans were discussed at a meeting of the council’s top team on Thursday, January 31 and Cllr Parry Batth told his fellow members that the scheme was designed to attract first-time buyers rather than those looking to extend their property portfolios.

It has been proposed that the council’s housing company, Wokingham Housing Limited, secures outline planning permission for the scheme, with applicants then able to submit planning applications for their own homes.

It is anticipated that the scheme would create four two-bedroom homes, 12 three-bedroom homes, four four-bedroom homes and one five-bedroom home.

Councillors agreed to transfer the land to the housing company with outline planning consent expected to be given in the coming months.