Controversial 235 Home Plan Decision Approaches

A decision is due on a contentious plan for more than 200 homes to be built on fields north of Bracknell.

A decision is due on a controversial plan to build 235 homes on six fields north of Forest Road, north of Whitegrove between Warfield and Winkfield Row.

The site sits just west of The Cricketers pub and Lambrook School. Locals have raised concerns about extra traffic, road safety and the loss of community green space.

There have been 54 formal objections and a petition — signed by 24 people before it closed — asking for one field next to The Cricketers to be removed from the scheme, access to be reworked to a single entry from Bracknell Road, and street lighting removed to "maintain the semi-rural character of Haley Green".

Warfield Parish Council has also accused Jordan Construction of "deleting" a community green space that had been included in the Warfield Neighbourhood Plan adopted in December 2022. The parish council wants the application rejected for that reason.

Despite the objections, the council planning team manager, Margaret McEvit, has recommended approval.

The site plan shows new vehicle access onto Forest Road, Hayley Green and Bracknell Road, with homes arranged in three separate neighbourhoods that are not linked. Planning consultancy Stantec said the distinct areas were created to "prevent and deter rat-running".

Some neighbours also argue there is no need for more housing while newly built homes nearby remain unsold.

Ms McEvit’s report notes the site is designated for development as policy WNP2 in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan adopted in March 2024, and that the access arrangements were agreed in principle under that plan. The parish council accepts the designation but stands by its objection over the green space.

The report suggests the location of the green had to be changed to "maintain the most sensitive ecological areas on site".

The application will be decided at a planning committee meeting on 15 January. You can view it on the council planning portal using reference 24/00718/OUT.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter