We need your views about the future of Arborfield and Barkham!

Arborfield & Newland and Barkham Parish Council are working together to prepare a new Neighbourhood Plan to help shape and protect the future of our parishes.

As part of the launch of the Neighbourhood Plan Review project, in-person events were held on the following dates:

• 7th March – Farley Hill School 2-5pm
• 21st March – Arborfield Village Hall 2-4pm
• 28th March – Barkham Village Hall 2-4pm

For those who are unable to attend the in-person events, an online webinar will be held on the 13th April 7-8pm.

The deadline for survey responses is 8th May 2026.

Quick Summary

Help Shape the Future of Arborfield and Barkham

Arborfield and Barkham are changing — and more change is likely to be on the way. That’s why the Parish Councils are inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to take part in a new consultation to help shape the future of the area.

At the heart of this is the Neighbourhood Plan — an important planning document that can influence where development happens, what it looks like, and how it supports the community. With increasing pressure for new housing locally and nationally, having a strong and up-to-date plan is one of the best ways to ensure local priorities are taken into account.

Why is this happening now?

The area has already seen significant development, with major projects like Arborfield Green and the proposed Loddon Garden Village. At the same time, housing targets for the borough have increased, and national planning policy continues to favour sustainable development. This means further growth is likely.

Without an updated Neighbourhood Plan, there is less ability to shape that growth — and a greater risk that decisions are made without fully reflecting the community’s views.

What is the consultation about?

The consultation focuses on exploring different ways future housing growth might happen — and what that could mean for the area.

To support this, the Parish Councils have developed three “what-if” scenarios. These are not proposals or targets. Instead, they are designed to help people think about the long-term future, understand the impacts of different approaches, and consider the trade-offs involved.

Across all scenarios, the same key questions apply:
How can growth be managed in a way that protects what people value most, while also supporting a sustainable future?

What matters most to the community?

Previous engagement has highlighted four key priorities:

• Protecting the rural identity of the area and preventing settlements from merging
• Managing traffic and improving transport options
• Ensuring access to health services and community infrastructure
• Protecting local heritage, woodland and green spaces

These issues are central to the conversation about future development.

Understanding the choices ahead

Each potential approach to growth comes with benefits and challenges. Some options may allow faster delivery of housing but risk greater impact on the countryside and roads. Others may focus on more sustainable transport and better infrastructure but require higher density development and changes to how people travel.

There are no easy answers — but by exploring these scenarios now, the community has a chance to influence how change is managed, rather than reacting to it later.

Have your say

This consultation is an opportunity to share your views on what matters most, where growth should and should not happen, and what infrastructure and improvements are needed to support the community in the future.

Feedback will help shape the next stage of the Neighbourhood Plan, guide responses to wider planning policies, and influence how future development is approached in Arborfield and Barkham.

Email address for contact: parishclerk@arborfieldparish.gov.uk