Complaint about "accident waiting to happen" Warfield homes

There has been a large amount of housebuilding in Newell Green area, with over 100 homes being built as part of the Orchid Place development, and a plan lodged for 48 homes in Forest Road which involves knocking down the Warfield M.O.T Service Centre.

Mandy Bailey, who lives in Abbey Place, has raised issues over access, ‘overbearing’ new homes, inadequate flood protection, and ‘unexplained works’ taking place in the fields next door to where she lives.

Her main complaints centre around a nine-home plan which was approved by the council’s planning department on August 13.

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The plan involves building one four-bedroom house, two three-bedroom houses, and four two-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments contained within one three-storey building on a field at the end of Abbey Place.

But Ms Bailey has said that building access from Abbey Place is “an accident waiting to happen.”

She explained: “It’s only wide enough for one car. If nine homes are built that’s an additional 18 cars. The drivers somehow need to safely go in and out of the road.”

Photos she has taken shows the narrow road which will be used to provide access to the homes once built.

The access road to the new nine home development, which Mandy Bailey said can only fit one car at a time. Credit: Mandy Bailey

Ms Bailey said that access to the new homes should instead be provided in Crozier Lane, which is a newly laid road being built to serve the Orchid Place development, which is currently under construction.

Ms Bailey has also said that her car park is afflicted by standing water whenever it rains for long periods of time.

She said: “When it rains, the water already drains into our car park area. A fence has been built to try and soak up the water but its useless.”

A photo showing flooding in the car park of Abbey Place. Credit: Mandy Bailey

You can see a picture of the fencing the developer has installed in an effort to alleviate the flooding in the gallery above. 

Planning matters in Warfield are decided by Bracknell Forest Council’s planning department.

Ms Bailey accused the planning department of failing to consult residents both over the approved nine home plan and the field works taking place. 

She said: “The council said it has consulted residents, but it hasn’t at all. I think they’re lying to get the money they need as a council.”

Finally, Ms Bailey has queried why work is taking place in the fields to the west of her house. Photos she submitted shows construction vehicles digging in the fields.

It is understood the field is being worked on to clear the way for the nine new homes which were approved. Credit: Mandy Bailey

Andrew Hunter, the executive director for place planning & regeneration, said:  “A formal planning approval for this development [nine homes] was granted on August 13 following the conclusion of a legal agreement.

“All matters raised by residents were addressed in the committee report, which was considered by the Planning Committee prior to the application being approved.

“The transport considerations for this development were considered as part of the planning application and were considered to meet highway standards and be acceptable.

“The council has investigated works in the adjacent field and found there to be no planning breaches.

“It has also investigated the flooding matters raised by residents and sought for the developer to instigate measures to protect against this being an ongoing issue.”

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You can view the plans in Warfield by typing their references in brackets into Bracknell Forest Council's planning portal here: https://planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/online-applications/

• Approved plans for nine homes in Abbey Place (19/00327/FUL)
• Plan for 48 homes after demolition of car service centre in Warfield (21/00592/FUL)