COUNTRYSIDE campaigners are set to clash with Bracknell Forest’s planning boss over controversial plans for 4,000 homes in Warfield.
Part of the site of multi-national tech company Syngenta could make way for the homes if the council’s local plan proposal goes ahead.
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Opposition has been growing against the plans with more than 3,600 residents signing a petition demanding green space is not sacrificed for the development.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has also voiced its concerns and the Berkshire group has organised an open meeting where the proposal will be debated.
Rebecca Murphy, CPRE Berkshire Bracknell District Chairman said: “We strongly urge affected residents to attend.
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“The purpose of the meeting is to provide a forum for local residents to consider the impact of the proposed development in relation to the importance of retaining Metropolitan Green Belt land, and ask questions they may not have had the opportunity to do at the council's consultation exhibitions.”
Should the site be included in the final local plan and planning permissions granted for the proposal, the first houses could be ready by 2027, with all 4,000 hoped to be finished by 2049.
Confirmed speakers at the event include Richard Knox-Johnston, chair of the London Green Belt Council, and Cllr Chris Turrell, Bracknell Forest Council’s (BFC) planning and transport boss.
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Rebecca added: “Richard Knox-Johnston brings a huge depth of campaigning experience for the protection of the Green Belt.
“In addition, we welcome Chris Turrell’s commitment to explaining the Council’s proposal to include a large-scale housing development at Jealott’s Hill, as part of their Revised Growth Strategy plan.
“We are hoping for a respectful debate, which will include Q & As, and to that end, the meeting will be chaired to keep the discussion moving along in a courteous manner.”
The event is free for residents to attend, but those wishing to come must register at cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com or by calling 0118 930 6756 before Thursday 23 January 2020.
Discussion over the proposal will get underway at 7.30 pm on Friday, 24 January at Warfield Primary School, Sopwith Road, Warfield, RG42 6BR.
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