IF plans unveiled today to build 15,000 new homes to the south of Reading go ahead, an area of typical Berkshire countryside would be totally transformed.

Although only six pages of the 35 page document have been shown to the press, the details included hint at the scale of the impact.

Amongst the 15,000 properties planned are starter homes, employment land and 5,250 affordable homes.

The documents also request accelerated compulsory purchase order powers to 'deliver key infrastructure'.

Which land and properties would be affected by such powers, in an area made up of small villages, country roads and farm land, is as yet unknown. 

The plans also requests that the Department for Communities and Local Government and Homes and Community Agency provide brokerage with Network Rail and the Officer of Nuclear Regulation.

The final page of the leaked document outlines the 'unique selling points' of the plans.

They include:

  • A truly self-contained garden settlement of substantial scale planned from concept to completion with its own unique identity.                                       
  • Exceptional connectivity to air (Heathrow and Gatwick) road (M4/A33), rail (Reading – Basingstoke/Paddington and Waterloo main lines), cycle (National Cycle Network and local links) and pedestrian (4km from Reading Town Centre) travel.                                                                                   
  • Ease of access regionally via Cross-rail into Heathrow and the City.           
  • Rich riverine landscape providing opportunities for unique urban rural place marking.                                                                                           
  • Access to superb employment (Reading) and education (Reading University) opportunities in the Thames Valley.                                             
  • Public sector land with the area of the site allowing opportunities for public/private partnership.                                                                           
  • Three authorities in collaborative engagement with the private sector.                                                                                  
  • Locality has demonstrated an exceptionally high level of viability and deliverability of infrastructure and housing.                                                   
  • Massive regeneration driver with huge capacity at sub-regional scale to breed success from success in delivery.