AS important as it is to keep up with the news, sometimes it’s good to take your mind off things -- and what better way to do that than with five new interesting planning applications!
Developers, homeowners and businesses have been busy asking Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) planning chiefs to consider their latest building proposals this week.
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Here are five of the most interesting, controversial or out-of-the-ordinary planning applications we spotted submitted in the last seven days, all of which are currently pending approval.
Full details of each proposal can be found by entering the planning reference at planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/online-applications/
A new sports pavilion at Ranelagh School (planning reference: 20/00162/FUL)
The new building could go up along with new parking and landscaping works at the Bracknell school, which is east of Larges Lane.
PE lessons for students will take place nearby, meaning the new pavilion would be used as space for pupils to get changed in and a place where sports equipment can be stored.
It can also be used as a training facility for indoor sports education when required, a medical room, and as a canteen area for health/nutrition lessons.
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The proposed pavilion would have two floors, the lower ground floor of which would have a warmup room, medical room changing rooms, showers and toilet facilities.
Two classrooms, a staff room, toilet facilities and a student common room & dining area with a kitchen would be on the ground floor plan.
Bracknell Town Football Club’s youth team would use the site during the week for training, and youth non-competitive games at the weekend.
Thirty car parking spaces would come with the pavilion.
This application comes as an alternative to a plan submitted in 2017 for a similar scheme which is still under review by BFC bosses.
The other proposal indicated a desire for applicants to add a multi-use games area add the site too, but that has not been included in this plan.
Seven new homes in Bracknell town centre (20/00189/PAC)
Developers want to turn offices at Continuity House on London Road into seven new homes.
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The three-storey building could make for the new ‘dwellinghouses’ if applicants get prior approval from BFC first.
All seven of the new homes would be one-bedroom.
A new natural gas fueling facility for Waitrose (20/00161/FUL)
Bosses at Waitrose’s Bracknell headquarters on Doncastle Road are hoping to add the new facility for environmentally-friendly reasons.
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The supermarket chain’s existing diesel-powered distribution fleet is set to be replaced with a new range of gas-adapted vehicles using the more eco-friendly fuel.
It is indicated in a planning report produced for Waitrose that there is a need for the new fuelling-station to be based at the east warehouse at the headquarters because this will make it easier to serve the existing HGV fleet.
Three new homes in Warfield (20/00152/OUT)
Oaklands Farm chiefs want to convert private equestrian buildings into three new homes on Maize Lane in Warfield.
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Four buildings, including three barns, would be turned into one five-bed house and two four-bed homes, according to these initial plans.
The buildings have also been used for purposes including an indoor riding school, workshop, stables, internal horse walker and stores.
Extension at office space in Crowthorne (20/00165/FUL)
A third-storey extension to Manhattan House on Crowthorne High Street could be on the cards.
This development would create a new two-bed home if planners give applicants permission.
Six other homes already have prior approval at this site, but neighbours aren’t happy about the proposal.
One High Street resident wrote to BFC: “I have lived in my property for 5 years and have found the building and parking area to be poorly managed.
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“The addition of more residents and therefore vehicles to the area without proper support for current residents will result in further stress.”
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