The site in north east Thatcham that has been earmarked for the massive development A controversial project to build 2,500 homes and three schools in Thatcham is expected to begin in 2024. West Berkshire Council has earmarked 170 hectares of land in north east Thatcham for this ambitious development in its new Local Plan for 2020 to 2037, which was recently scrutinised by people during an eight-week public consultation. The council is hoping the detailed plan, which sets planning policies and reveals which sites can be built on, will be signed off by the government by 2023. It would pave the way for developers to obtain planning permission for developments in Thatcham and begin construction in 2024.