Plans to develop on the former ground of Bracknell Town FC were rejected at last night's planning meeting. 

The proposal, which was widely expected to pass due to having officers' recommendation approval, was quashed as Bracknell Forest Councillors voted against the motion by eleven votes to one, with one abstention.  

Had it been approved, the plan would have seen the current dwelling and sports building on Larges Lane demolished and replaced by 126 apartments and 167 parking spaces. 

Key reasons for the objections included the parking situation, the loss of a stadium, issues around drainage and the lack of trees in the plan. 

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The executive member for adult services, health and housing, Councillor Dale Birch, said: “I recognise that it is an allocated site, I recognise also that it is a sustainable location. But there my positive comments must end. 

“This is an absolute travesty of over development in an area that is very sensitive.” 

The issue of parking was raised continually throughout the meeting, the consensus being that the number of spaces allocated fell short of the parking provision as part of new developments. 

The vice-chairman of the planning committee, Councillor Michael Brossard, said: “If you use the number of one, two and three bedroom apartments, the requirement is actually for 233 spaces against the 167 that are proposed.” 

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The committee also raised concerns about a lack of allocated parking spaces. The development site is situated close to St Joseph’s Primary School, where there have already been complaints by residents of traffic congestion and inadequate parking.  

Councillor Paul Bidwell said: “The traffic when I’ve gone to Larges Lane, at all times, has been awful and to have unallocated parking is going to lead to rioting. 

“We already have stories across the borough of people getting into fist fights because of people taking their parking space.” 

The application was submitted by Bracknell Town FC who saw the plans as “crucial” to enhance the facilities and community football in the area. 

The club’s chairman and CEO, Kayne Steinborn-Busse, said: “That decision last night will rock Bracknell Town to the core. What they have done will put [the club] on the brink of extinction. 

“They declined to come and look at the sites […] they didn’t have any comprehension of the project.” 

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When the council goes against an officer's recommendation in a virtual meeting it must be confirmed at a physical meeting. However, that is now likely to be refused based on the committee vote. 

“We will be appealing, however the appeals process takes 12 months and it will cost us £50-100k,” said Steinborn-Busse. 

The club won the Isthmian League South-Central Division title on Saturday and will now be promoted to the non-league pyramid. 

“We now have to spend money that could be going on our children's provision for education and sport within our group,” said Steinborn-Busse.  

“We are going to spend it on barristers because a group of councillors didn’t come and look at the project. It’s scandalous,” he said.