Residents Fume Over Wildlife Habitat Development Plans

Anger flared in Bracknell after plans were approved to build 40 homes on wildlife-rich green space in Winkfield Row, behind Carnation Hall off Chavey Down Road.

Residents and nature-lovers warned councillors they risked a judicial review, even though the site is already earmarked for development in the borough's local plan.

The row centred on biodiversity. Neighbours say the land is used by badgers, deer and hedgehogs and that new wildlife evidence wasn't properly considered. Officers said ecological matters were dealt with at the outline stage.

Local campaigner Avril Haubrich said she regularly sees foxes, deer, badgers and hedgehogs and submitted photos of established wildlife routes. She criticised the ecological assessment and the reliance on mitigation such as "badger doors", saying these would fragment habitats and block hedgehog movement.

She said: "You are being asked to vote blind-on an incomplete, inaccurate and legally flawed record. Proceeding tonight puts the council at risk of a judicial review".

Haubrich also argued the Environment Act 2021 requires biodiversity to be integrated at all planning stages, claimed hedgehogs were omitted from reports, badger activity understated and that objections from the Badger Society weren't reflected. She said trees shown as retained habitat were not owned by the developer.

Under national rules developments must deliver at least a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain. In this case 8 of 9.2 habitat units would be provided on site, with a further 1.04 units off site. Officers said a minimum uplift had already been secured through the outline permission and the Section 106 agreement.

The council's legal officer told members protected species impacts had been properly assessed and biodiversity matters were not open for reconsideration, so the application could lawfully be decided.

Councillors were split. Cllr Patrick Smith described it as "an incredibly difficult application", adding that such decisions can feel "incredibly unrewarding". Cllr Tony Virgo said Bracknell's village character should be preserved and he would prefer refusal in favour of a more sympathetic scheme.

Members eventually focused on practical issues such as sewer capacity and the height of an apartment block and approved the application. Three vocal contributors, including Cllr Virgo, were excluded from voting because they attended the meeting remotely.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter