The land at Pincents Lane is a suitable location in Tilehurst for new homes: close to schools, a supermarket and with excellent road and rail connectivity.

Our new neighbourhood will enhance the local community and provide key benefits highlighted above.

Community Health Hub

A purpose-designed, ground floor unit of 450m2 gross, to shell finish, for Class D1 community health facilities within material start on site.

It will be offered to the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) within 3 months of the grant of outline planning permission.

If it is not taken up by the CCG within 12 months, occupation will be offered additionally and in parallel to other health care providers for a further year, giving the CCG a total of 2 years to take it up.

Custom-Build and Self-Build

At least 15% (24) of market units will be delivered through a custom-build or self-build scheme which will support West Berkshire’s ongoing obligation to provide such provision.

Of these, at least 12 customisable dwellings will offer the first occupier choice over internal layout, specification and fit-out.

These homes are likely to be delivered by a single, custom-build developer.

They will be required to offer carbon neutral energy efficiency.

The remainder will be available as self-build plots where the plot purchasers commission their own complete design within overall set parameters and subject to a design code.

Plots will be marketed for a minimum of 18 months and first will be made available to those on West Berkshire’s custom and self-build register for a period of six months, prior to being placed on the open market.

These self-build plots will support West Berkshire’s ongoing obligation to provide such provision.

Our outline planning application seeks permission for the access and the principle of residential development of up to 165 homes, together with a multi-use healthcentre and new public parkland. If granted there will be a further application and public consultation to comment on the detailed design.

Housing for older people

At least 30 homes will be built to particularly suit older people. These will be restricted in tenure in perpetuity for the 55+ age group and be built to at least Part M4(2) of the Building Regulations.

Of these, at least 12 will be market homes, most likely in the private rented sector. We propose integrating these with the community health hub.

The remainder will be within the affordable housing provision and managed by the selected Housing Association provider.

Climate change resilience strategy

Recognising the Council’s 2019 declaration of a Climate Emergency we will be preparing a Resilience Strategy. Amongst other elements, this will include:

• A saving of at least 35% on the use of operational carbon compared to conventional Building Regulations across the majority of the development.

• The custom-build and self-build plots to be built at close to Passivhaus standards as exemplar practice.