Communities secretary Eric Pickles has approved three appeals from the University of Reading to build 1,350 homes and a supermarket.
A 19-day public inquiry took place last year, with the university appealing on the grounds of non-determination by Wokingham borough council after its application was not decided within eight weeks.
Pickles has now announced that he has approved the applications to develop land at Shinfield, Shinfield West and Shinfield Eastern relief road.
University of Reading chief operating officer David Savage said: “During the course of the public inquiry last autumn, and throughout the lengthy application process, the university put forward a robust case and established significant areas of common ground with Wokingham borough council.
“The release of the land for future development will provide funding for the required associated infrastructure, including the Eastern relief road, recreational facilities, a new school and community centre in Shinfield, as well as the infrastructure to support the university’s planned science and innovation park for the region.”
Barton Willmore acted for the University of Reading on planning.
Senior partner Ian Tant added: “This decision is an important step towards delivering much-needed homes for Wokingham in this strategic location south of the M4.
“There is still much work to be done, but the secretary of state has set out firm principles on which to base further planning applications.”
nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
