PLANS to build 34 homes in Warfield have been refused after the council threw out proposals which included eight affordable houses.

The designs had attracted considerable opposition from residents after almost 30 locals wrote to the council to object to the plans at Herschel Grange, Warfield Street.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) denied the application because the building of the houses “would have a harmful urbanising impact on the character and appearance of the countryside”.

BFC also raised fears about the impact on protected species and animal habitats after the applicants failed to “adequately address concerns”.

Other reasons for the plans’ refusal included worries about mitigating for flooding in the area, as well as concerns over the potential impact on community infrastructure and open space.

Warfield Parish Council had also lent their objections to consideration, setting out their recommendations for refusal at a meeting in July 2018.

The Parish Council objected on the grounds of the site being outside the designated settlement area, the homes being out of character with the rest of the nearby dwellings, and fears over the additional traffic that would be created as a result of the proposal going ahead.

New homes would have comprised of five one-bedroom homes, seven two-bedroom dwellings, 15 three-bedroom homes and seven four-bedroom spaces.

The layout of the new homes would have taken the form of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and an apartment block.

Five of the homes would have been located in the “fairly small” apartment building.

One house would have been demolished to make way for the vehicle and pedestrian access.

Eight of the homes would have been made affordable – a ratio of 25 per cent.

The planning application made clear two oak trees would be removed, with “several” other trees being identified as “unsuitable for retention”.

In February, the News reported plans for almost 200 homes at land north of Forest Road submitted by Home Farm Land Ltd.

The almost-200 dwellings are expected to be able to accommodate 462 people and the settlement would be supported by the creation of a new roundabout on Forest Road.

One month earlier, the News told how a plan for 41 homes near Newell Hall and St Michael’s Grange had angered residents.