Verdict due on plan for 235 homes north of Bracknell

Development company Jordan Construction Ltd has a project to build 235 homes on six fields north of Forest Road.

The site is situated north of Whitegrove, between the villages of Warfield and Winkfield Row.

The Cricketers pub and Lambrook School are located immediately east of the site.

Plan to convert abandoned village school into homes could still go ahead

The plan has proven controversial due to concerns about increased traffic, road safety, and the apparent removal of community green space.

The project has received 54 objections, meaning a verdict on the application must be made by Bracknell Forest Council's planning committee.

A petition calling for changes to the plan was signed by 24 people before it closed last month.

The petition requested the removal of one of the fields next to The Cricketers from the project, the access to be reworked to provide a single entry from Bracknell Road, and the removal of street lighting to maintain the semi-rural character of Haley Green.

Latest on plan for 235 homes on fields north of Bracknell

Furthermore, Warfield Parish Council has accused Jordan Construction of 'deleting' a community green space from the masterplan of the site.

A document from the parish council states that this space had been agreed for use for both future occupants and current villagers, and was therefore included in the Warfield Neighbourhood Plan that was adopted in December 2022.

The parish council has requested that the project be rejected due to the removal of the community green space.

The plan has been recommended for approval by the council's planning team manager, Margaret McEvit.

In contrast to the request from petitioners, the site plan shows new vehicular access onto Forest Road, Hayley Green and Bracknell Road.

Homes are shown within three new neighbourhoods, none of which are connected to the others.

Planning consultancy Stantec stated that these distinct areas have been created to prevent and deter rat-running.

The illustrative masterplan for up to 235 homes on fields at Hayley Green, Warfield Parish, just north of Bracknell. (Image: Boyer)

Other neighbours argued that there is no need to build more housing while completed new homes remain unsold.

However, Ms McEvit's report states the site has been designated for development as policy WNP2 in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan adopted in March 2024.

Furthermore, she judged that the access arrangements had been agreed in principle in line with the Local Plan.

While the parish council acknowledged that the site is designated in the Local Plan, it has maintained its objection due to the removal of the community green space.

Ms McEvit's report suggests that the location of this space had to be adjusted due to the need to 'maintain the most sensitive ecological areas on site'.

The project is set to be decided at a planning committee meeting on January 15.

You can view the application by typing reference 24/00718/OUT into the council's planning portal.