Consultation begins on 2,500 home ‘Masterplan’
A new phase of public engagement has begun today (Friday) on proposals for a major 2,500‑home development on the North‑Eastern edge of Thatcham.
The site, allocated through West Berkshire Council’s updated Local Plan Review, has previously been likened to “adding a town the size of Hungerford” to Thatcham. Alongside housing, the scheme is expected to deliver a range of community facilities, including local centres, healthcare provision and new education spaces.
Current plans include two new primary schools and land safeguarded for a secondary school. These elements form part of the masterplan now being presented for public comment.
Separate to the development, expansion work is already under way at Thatcham Park CE Primary School to increase nursery capacity. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer term of 2026. A new community hub for the town is also being developed following a consultation that closed on 10 March.
Around half of the development site is earmarked for a new community park.
Engagement process
Residents and key stakeholders are being invited to review the work completed so far and contribute to the next stage of masterplanning. Feedback gathered during this period will inform the draft masterplan, which the council is expected to take forward later this year.
A drop-in session is being held on Monday, 27th April from 4pm to 8pm at Thatcham Parish Hall, Chapel Street, Thatcham, RG18 4QL. The event is being run and managed by external consultant DevComms.
A full consultation on the draft masterplan is expected to take place in the summer before the final version is presented to the council for potential adoption.
Increase in housing numbers
The council was required to revise its Local Plan — now covering the period to 2041 — after the Government increased West Berkshire’s housing requirement. The target has risen from at least 8,721 new homes to a minimum of 9,270.
As a result, the allocation for North East Thatcham has been increased from 1,500 homes to 2,500.
Further information is available at West Berkshire Council NE Thatcham Masterplan website.