Plans for Bracknell Home Expansion Rejected

Plans to turn a three-bedroom semi into a four-bed in Milman Close, Bracknell have been refused after councillors warned the cramped cul-de-sac couldnt cope with more cars.

Bracknell Forest Councils planning committee rejected two-storey side and rear extensions, a front extension and garage conversion despite planning officers recommending approval.

Members said the road is narrow, parking is already stretched and the enlarged house would have no extra off-street spaces. The scheme drew five letters of objection, and both Bracknell Town Council and the highways authority recommended refusal.

Councillor Tony Virgo said: "The [cul-de-sac] itself is very small, it is not a big highway. Whilst I was there, I noticed cars had double parked on pavements. The thing that worries me enormously is you only need a few cars up there and it is going to cause some problems. If you were to have a party, good luck! Who knows where the cars would park?"

He added: "The problem with making big houses out of what was originally designed to be a three-bedroom house is it creates enormous challenges. I honestly can't see how we can allow it. It's not fair to neighbours."

Councillor Tina McKenzie-Boyle said the proposal did not meet the councils parking standards and warned members to defend policy. She said: "We can't keep having this threat of going to appeal. We have to stand up for ourselves and say these are our policies and this is what we are going to defend. I can't vote for this."

Councillor Nazar Zahuruddin warned it would worsen borough parking: "A four-bed dwelling with only two parking spaces - I am concerned this will set a precedent to make matters worse in our already challenged borough."

Councillor Sheila Collings urged members to consider national planning rules and permitted development rights, but concerns remained that the scheme failed to meet the councils 2026 parking standard of three spaces for a four-bedroom home.

Members voted against the officer recommendation and approved an alternative motion to refuse. They concluded the inadequate parking would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety and conflict with local and national planning policies.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter