Concerns Rise Over Ascot's Green Belt Flats Plan

Plans to build 10 luxury flats on Green Belt land in Ascot have sparked fears of "unprecedented overdevelopment".

Developer Brockenhurst Homes wants to tear down a large detached house and outbuildings at Milcote, Kings Ride, and replace them with 10 apartments, parking, shared outdoor space and new landscaping.

The architects say the scheme would clear cars and fly-tipping from the site and improve its appearance.

Milcote straddles the boundary between Bracknell Forest and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, but the proposed apartment block would be entirely within Bracknell Forest. The site is in the Green Belt.

Documents submitted with the application argue the development would have no greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing property. Brockenhurst Homes says its designs reflect the leafy character of the area and include new landscaping and shared outdoor space.

Nearby residents on Prince Albert Drive have objected, saying the plans should be considered alongside other housing schemes in and around Ascot. They say those schemes could provide as many as 749 homes and describe the level of development as "unprecedented".

They also warned of loss of trees and wildlife habitats and increased pressure on roads, doctors' surgeries, public transport, drainage, water supplies and parking.

In their objection they wrote: "The total of potentially 749 dwellings concentrated into such a small area that is predominantly designated as Greenbelt, with the significant loss of ancient/significant trees and woodland is a shocking environmental loss, detrimental for generations to come."

The latest proposals follow an earlier attempt to redevelop Milcote which was dismissed at appeal; the developer says it has taken on board feedback from council planners and the Planning Inspectorate.

The plans can be viewed and commented on via Bracknell Forest Council (search PA/2026/0932) or the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (26/02491/FULL).

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter