Warfield: Nine homes approved by Bracknell Forest Council

Land south-west of Abbey Place will make way for the new dwellings after councillors almost unanimously backed the proposals last week.

The approval marks success for developers at the second time of asking after a plan for ten homes at the site was refused in 2015.

Despite the slight reduction in houses set to be built, neighbours are unhappy at the decision made on the ‘extremely dangerous’ plans.

READ MORE: Why residents say new homes plan is 'extremely dangerous'

Mandy Bailey, who is one several residents living on a narrow road which will act as an access point to the earmarked site, told the News: “We have two very elderly residents in No.1 and this has been affecting their health for a long time now and the next phase of construction is going to cause them even more anxiety.

“The mention of an additional 38 movements of traffic per day meant nothing, we are appalled [they] were so nonchalant about it.

“There is no reason for the access road not to be positioned on the other side of the field.”

Ms Bailey also told the News she was ‘dismayed’ at the level of consultation between residents and developers Millgate.

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Before the decision was made at a council planning meeting last week, residents also lodged objections about issues including flooding, parking and overdevelopment at the site.

But Warfield Harvest Ride councillor Dr Gareth Barnard said: “This development, if and when it goes ahead, is one that will be well-managed and supported.

“It is a development within a strategic site but let’s be under no illusion: it is effectively an infill development […] bringing additional disruption and noise to those properties [surrounding it].

“I think due regard needs to be given to the drainage, due regard needs to be given to where the parking goes.

“I think the style of development, in this case, is okay: if you look at most of the developments in North Bracknell, it’s attractive, it sells, it’s clearly what people want.

“If it could have been accessed from a development that was underway, it could have been even better, but we are where we are.

“I just want to give a voice to those who are most directly impacted by this to be heard.

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“I have huge empathy and sympathy to those who objected to this and the reasons they have raised.

“I do believe that looking at the previous planning application that went in that didn’t make it, this has addressed some of those issues.

“Unlike the previous one, there are no ground on which we could or should refuse this.”

All but one councillor voted in favour of approving the plans at the meeting of the planning committee on Thursday, September 10.#

A spokesperson from Millgate commented: “We have now received planning approval for nine new homes in Warfield. We have listened and taken on board feedback from the local community throughout the consultation process, and have addressed these concerns within our revised proposal.

“We understand this will be a living site and therefore the health and safety of local residents is of utmost importance. We have implemented robust measures to closely monitor the site throughout the development lifecycle, to minimise disruption to those already living in the area.”