Councillor's Home Renovation Plan Faces Objections

Bracknell councillor Georgia Pickering (Labour, Binfield South & Jennett's Park) has applied to extend her semi in Alben Road, Binfield. The plans add a front side extension, a first-floor rear side infill and a loft dormer, increasing the house from three bedrooms to four and creating an entrance hall, an ensuite and a loft double.

The application will be decided by Bracknell Forest Council's planning committee because Cllr Pickering submitted it.

The council's highways department has objected, saying: "The proposal results in the loss of an existing parking space.

"Alben Road is a narrow, private road with limited opportunity for safe on-street parking and the impact of the loss of parking on-site would result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety (including for pedestrians).

"Furthermore, any displacement of parking onto the highway would likely lead to obstruction of the carriageway, adversely affecting the safe and efficient movement of larger vehicles, including refuse collection vehicles.

"Such obstruction would exacerbate highway safety concerns."

The Pickering family say they would park two cars in front of their home and one on land they own opposite.

Council planning officer Dexter Matthews has recommended approval. He acknowledged the highways concerns but judged the impact would be limited because Alben Road is a private, unmade road for residents only with no through access, so additional on-street parking would not have an unacceptable or cumulative impact on highway safety or the wider road network.

Mr Matthews' report also notes the family initially wanted to paint the house white but have changed the proposal so the extensions are red brick to better match other properties in Alben Road.

The application will be decided at the planning committee meeting on Thursday, July 16. You can view it by typing reference PA/2026/0438 into the council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter