Uni boss hopes homes help 'genuine housing crisis'

The vice-chancellor of a university that is planning to develop a new garden village of about 4,000 homes said he hopes it will help alleviate the "genuine housing crisis".

Reading University is planning to build Loddon Garden Village on land close to Shinfield and Lower Earley and it is included in Wokingham Borough Council's current housing plans.

Prof Robert Van de Noort said he wants the university to "play a small role" in providing homes for young people and "trying to rebalance the shortage of housing in this area".

The university is holding three events for residents to share their thoughts and learn more about the project later this month.

The local authority approved its local plan, which outlines where it wants development to go, in September, which includes building homes at Loddon Garden Village.

"There are things that are fixed. The number of houses is fixed because that is what Wokingham [Borough Council] needs from us. But there are lots of things that we can talk about," Prof Van de Noort said.

They will include accessibility and the potential layout of a planned 200 hectare (490 acre) park.

"We are looking at things that we haven't decided yet but we are interested in hearing from people who live around there at the moment in how we can make this the best possible development," he added.

The university has worked alongside partners Hatch Farm Land Ltd and Gleeson Land since 2021 on the project.

Consultation events will be held at Shinfield School Green Centre on 22 March between 10:00 and 17:00.

Another will be held at the university's Meadow Suite at its Whiteknights Campus on 28 March between 10:00 and 17:00.

A third will be held at Arborfield Village Hall on 29 March from 11:30 to 17:00.

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.