MORE WOKINGHAM NEWS THAN YOU’LL FIND ANYWHERE ELSE
Thursday, January 20, 2022
WIN! A meal for
Shinfield and All hail the Wassail Arborfield Tories oppose King and Queen Hall Farm Crowds flock to watch EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
No. 347 90p
two at The Queen’s Oak
ancient ceremony • p5
See Page 31
CONSERVATIVES have been “split” over plans to build 4,500 homes on Hall Farm.
That’s the view of both the Liberal Democrat and Labour leaders for Wokingham. Earlier this month, Conservative councillors in Shinfield created and distributed a leaflet opposing “inappropriate” development for their ward. The leaflet featured the faces of ward councillors Cllr Jackie Rance, Cllr Barrie Patman, Wokingham’s MP Sir John Redwood and chairman of the Wokingham Conservatives, Dave Edmonds. Mr Edmonds confirmed that both Shinfield and Arborfield Conservatives are opposed to the Hall Farm. The leaflet states: “We believe that Shinfield South has taken more than its fair share of new housing. We will continue to speak out against any new inappropriate housing developments that would impact our community. “If you are concerned about 4000 more houses being built then respond with your comments by Monday 24 January... Your Conservative Team opposes all inappropriate housing.” Cllr Clive Jones, Liberal Democrat leader for Wokingham said that he thinks this indicates a “clear split” among Conservative councillors opinions for the site. Last week, in a statement issued by Wokingham Borough Council, a spokesperson said: “Two other sites were considered for the garden village and while none was perfect, the advantages of the land south of the M4 – known as Hall Farm / Loddon Valley outweighed the drawbacks by the greatest amount.” “They are not supporting what the ruling group executive are pushing,” Cllr Jones said. “Are they going to vote against the plan? And what alternatives are they going to provide?” n Continued on page 9
POLICE INVESTIGATE BOOTS RAM RAID P7
LATE NIGHT CAR MEETS PLAGUE TOWN
‘Their engines sounded like gunfire’ say terrified Wokingham residents
EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today ROARING engines and backfiring exhausts returned to Wokingham town centre over the weekend, as drivers gathered in Carnival Pool Car Park.
On both Saturday and Sunday night, residents were left anxiously calling the police, in a bid to stop the noise from hordes of cars.
Four residents told Wokingham Today that it sounded like gunfire coming from the multi-storey. “I was listening to the bangs and seeking reassurance that they weren’t bullets,” said Geoff Simmons, whose name has been changed. “It was worse than fireworks and I imagine heard by most of central Wokingham. “This problem has happened in the past but had gone quiet until this weekend.” n Continued on page 8
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