THE populations of Bracknell and Wokingham are set to sky-rocket over the coming years according to projections by the government.

Over the next 10 years an extra 23,000 people will move into the two boroughs with another 12,000 moving in by 2036.

In Bracknell Forest the total population is expected to increase by 15 per cent from 120,599 in 2016 to a peak of 139,021 in 2036.

Over the border in Wokingham the population is expected to rise by 12 per cent from 161,054 this year to 181,571 in 2036.

The projections, based on 2014 population data, were released on Wednesday, May 25.

In both boroughs the most significant increase is in the 65+ age bracket.

In Bracknell just 6,000 of the new residents will be under 65 with 12,389 over 65s.

Dale Birch, executive member for adult services, health and housing on Bracknell Forest Council said the figures were expected and the borough council had already started planning for the influx with the creation of the Comprehensive Local Plan.

“Anyone not looking at the way these figures are going isn’t going to be able to care for people in the future,” he said.

“When housing requirements are drawn up they look at how many dwellings we need, not just the total but how many we need for social housing, for new rent, and provision for older people.

“We’re not doing this on our own but as we get to each stage we are talking to people and asking ‘what do you think?’ and ‘Have we got it right?’.”

He said the borough was creating integrated care villages providing all the services older people could need in a location near to supported accommodation.

In Wokingham the problem is more pronounced with 4,204 under 65s coming to the borough and 15,414 older residents moving in.

Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner, executive member for health and wellbeing on Wokingham Borough Council, said the council would be using money provided by developments in the strategic development locations to fund more sheltered housing whilst trying to work collaboratively with health services to keep older people needing care independent for as long as possible.