If agreed the houses will be built near junctions 11 and 12 of the M4

Prupim, owned by Prudential, said it had developed a flood management scheme that will protect the new homes that could be built in Kennet Valley.

But former Environment Agency head, Ed Gallagher, said it would leave Reading "wide open to the risk of flooding".

The developers are due to resubmit plans in the summer. If approved, the scheme would be built over 25 years.

'Concrete footprint'

Mr Gallagher said: "The proposal to build on the flood plain in the Kennet Valley is a very bad one in my view.

"Not only will it create a huge concrete footprint, which will put lives at risk in the Kennet Valley itself, but also water running off that concrete will flow downstream and put other people at risk as well."

Prupim said Kennet Valley Park scheme was "fully considered by the South East Plan Panel who supported the strong and urgent need for additional housing in the Reading area.

"Based upon the evidence submitted they determined that the area southwest of Reading and incorporating KVP is suitable for major development to help meet this need."