A DEVELOPER'S proposal to include less than half the number of affordable houses required in a 61 home build has been recommended for approval.

Next week Bracknell Forest councillors will decide whether to follow officers' guidance and green light a large residential development at Bracknell and Wokingham College on Sandy Lane.

The build would see disused college facilities razed and a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes constructed in their place.

Developers Cala Homes has successfully argued, in the officers' eyes, that the affordable home requirement should be lowered to 6 from 15.

William Taylor, of Grange Road, disapproved of the reduced provision.

"Our young people are wanting to set up homes and start their adult lives which they are not going to be able to do if there are insufficient homes that they can afford," he wrote in an objection letter to the council.

"This development is in a superb position for young families who will be close enough to the town centre to walk and thus to avoid the car or bus costs of living

further out."

Others express concerns regarding the levels of traffic in the area.

Carole Sharp, of Shepherds Hill said: "The traffic report remains a fantasy. The fumes and noise from this traffic would cause severe disturbance to the enjoyment of homes in Shepherds Hill and Sandy Lane.

"This development in a quiet area will be overbearing if the realities of car use is deliberately ignored."

The proposals will go before the council's planning committee on November 3.

A CALA spokesperson said: “We have undertaken the necessary transport surveys to demonstrate that building 61 homes on this site will not have a significant impact on traffic. Importantly, it noted that the traffic generated by our development would be a reduction on the historic traffic levels the community experienced when the site it was an active college campus less than two years ago.

“Our application is policy compliant in terms of affordable housing, as it qualifies for vacant building credit, and is supported by the local council officers. We will also be making significant contributions to the community via other means, including a new pedestrian and cycle link to the town centre, along with Section 106 payments to support local infrastructure and amenities.

“We believe our proposal for new homes off Sandy Lane will provide an attractive and sustainable new residential quarter on disused brownfield land. We’re hopeful for a positive outcome when it goes to committee.”