PLANS to build 140 homes on Reading Football Club’s old training ground are set for approval.

The club wants permission to build the homes on Hogwood Park in Finchampstead, where they trained until their new training facility at Bearwood Park was completed in 2019.

They have drawn up plans for two, three, and four-bedroom homes on the 10.34 hectare site and promised to ensure that 56 of them are affordable.

There are also plans to provide an area of public space, known as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

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A letter written by a planning consultant states: “The club consider that Hogwood Park is a sensitively designed, high quality, sustainable development proposal which will meet local needs while delivering both market and affordable homes.”

It adds: “Through the natural evolution and expansion of the club, they have outgrown Hogwood Park as a training facility.”

Wokingham Borough Council planning officers have recommended the club’s outline planning application for approval and the council’s Planning Committee is due to make a decision at a meeting on November 11.

In a report, the planning officers say Hogwood Park is a “sustainable and suitable windfall development site” and the project would “deliver a high-quality development”.

They added: “The proposals would bring the site back into public use, while also providing additional affordable housing, on-site recreational facilities such as a play area, an informal playing pitch and an attractive SANG provision.”

If the application is approved, the club will then begin work on a reserved matters application, which includes more detailed plans for the development.

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So far, the council has received 15 letters of objection.

Barkham Parish Council, Finchampstead Parish Council, Arborfield and Newland Parish Council have also objected.

They have raised concerns about the loss of greenpace, the loss of football pitches and additional traffic on surrounding roads.