People living in Wokingham can now have their say on ambitious plans to build 249 homes in Finchampstead.

Wokingham Borough Council is planning to redevelop the Gorse Ride housing estate which is just off Gorse Ride South.

Under the current plans, almost two thirds (185) of the new homes would be affordable housing, and the project would create a new village green and provide 416 car parking spaces.

The council says this will be the final phase of the £30 million project to regenerate Gorse Ride estate in Finchampstead and create “high-quality homes in a great community”.

Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for housing, said: “The Gorse Ride development is an incredibly important project for the area.

“Unfortunately, the existing houses are in poor condition and refurbishment simply wasn’t an option.

READ: MP calls for 260 homes golf club plan to be withdrawn amid 'high level of concern'

“We’ve worked closely with residents on the designs to make sure we could incorporate lots of their ideas into the scheme such as including additional bungalows, reduced heights on the apartment blocks, better designed parking areas, and improved pedestrian routes to help them feel safe and secure.”

“We also wanted to make sure the area retained the green and wooded feel the resident’s love and have paid lots of attention to choosing materials, and including extensive landscaping across the site focused on a new green park that runs through the heart of the development.

“Not only does it offer a fantastic open space where the community can gather, relax and enjoy, but it also helps address historic flooding issues in the area with an integrated pond where water can drain away naturally and wildlife can flourish.”

He added: “The new homes have been designed to be eco-friendly and include elements such as integrated waste stores to encourage recycling, electric heating and, hot water in the houses, high quality glazing and insulation to keep homes warm in the winter and cool in summer, and electric car charging points with the infrastructure to add more as demand increases in years to come.”

READ: Plans to transform London Road Industrial Estate back on track

People can comment on the plans during a four-week public consultation, which ends on September 18.

The first phase of the regeneration saw the council demolish Cockayne Court and some run-down properties in Arnett Avenue and Barkham Ride.

After the second phase was approved in October 2018, the council replaced those properties with 10 three-bedroom houses and two blocks of flats, to create 46 new homes.

More than 90% of those homes were designated as affordable housing.