Councillor Gains Approval for Home Extensions

Councillor Georgia Pickering (Binfield South & Jennett’s Park), cabinet member for housing, community safety and communication on Bracknell Forest Council, has won permission to extend her family home in a private road in Binfield.

She applied to add a front side extension, a first-floor rear side infill extension and a loft conversion with a dormer. The changes create an entrance hall, a double bedroom with ensuite on the first floor and a double bedroom in the loft, taking the house from three to four bedrooms.

Because the applicant is a councillor, the scheme was decided by the council planning committee. The presenting officer noted the front extension will remove a parking space outside the house; the family will instead park one car opposite on land they own.

Bracknell highways had raised an objection to the loss of a space, but officers judged cars can still pass safely on the unmade road.

Cllr Sheila Collins (Green, Binfield North & Warfield West) said: "I’m concerned about the parking.

"Can you confirm there is sufficient space between the two for emergency vehicles?"

Andy Wells, a council highways officer, said: "There is sufficient width to pass and repass, and there is sufficient width for emergency vehicles with a vehicle parked opposite."

Cllr Tricia Brown (Labour, Priestwood & Garth) asked about pedestrians; Mr Wells replied: "It’s how the existing road operates, they walk down the carriageway. It’s very low speed, it’s unmade, and as with any shared service roads in the borough, it seems to work relatively well at a slow speed, and this extension doesn’t make a significant difference to that."

Bins will be stored to the side or rear when not out for collection. The project was approved at the planning meeting on July 16. View the application with reference PA/2026/0438 on the council planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter