Public notices: Woodlands Park plans grow as ‘greybelt’ proposal reaches 300 homes

The public notices feature an application to increase the number of homes in an already approved plan for more than 200 on green space in Woodlands Park.

Developer Berkeley Homes has submitted a variation to increase the number of homes to 300 – up from the 213 sought earlier this year.

Original outline consent for a maximum of 225 homes was unanimously approved in February 2024, and a reserved matters application for up to 213 homes was granted in August 2025.

The site, near Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice and Woodlands Business Park, is part of the AL24 land allocation – an area earmarked for development in the Borough Local Plan.

However, in recent correspondence with the RBWM planning department, Berkeley said the Government housing targets have increased by nearly 55 per cent in the area.

This is putting ‘significant strain’ on the council’s ability to achieve this, says the housebuilder.

Therefore, Berkeley has brought forward land at Lillibrooke for development as it meets the criteria to qualify as ‘greybelt land’.

The developer seeks permission for 300 homes beside Woodlands Park Avenue and Woodlands Park Road in a new neighbourhood it has called Lillibrooke.

This is because the site is an original part of the Lillibrooke Manor’s estate, where the medieval manor dates back to the 14th century.

The new proposals include the relocation of previously approved open space for an additional 80 homes located within the north-eastern parcel of the site.

Also, the relocation of the informal sports pitch area, allotments and associated parking to provide a central hub for community use.

It will also involve converting an existing barn to create a community café.

A planning strategy agreed with RBWM, approved in October, sought to vary the description of the development with a new condition that read:

‘The residential development hereby permitted shall not comprise more than 225 dwellings’.

Now Berkeley is seeking approval for a new application to vary the approved condition about the number of homes.

The application seeks approval to vary the new condition approved, to alter the parameter plan and increase the number of homes to 300.

This will allow the number of homes deliverable on site to increase in line with the site's allocation, subject to detailed approval of any future planning application, said Berkeley.

The homes across these areas are a mix of flats, terraced and detached properties ranging in size from one to five bedrooms.

Half of the additional homes would be classed as affordable housing, according to grey belt requirements.