Bracknell: Islamic community centre plans set for approval

An application for the centre was submitted to the council in August 2019 but widespread interest in the plan and the coronavirus lockdown has meant councillors have not yet been able to make a decision on the proposal. 

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But now the designs are finally set to be considered -- as planning committee members prepare to meet virtually to decide on a number of divisive applications. 

Having a test run of the @BracknellForest Planning Committee. Local government is modernising! pic.twitter.com/tyaeSAJN0b

— Cllr Thomas Parker (@thomasparker75) April 17, 2020

Residents interested in watching councillors come to their decision can watch along by clicking on the link which will be made available here on the day of the meeting.

Here’s what they will be voting on come Thursday, April 23. 

Plans for an Islamic Community Centre 

The Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society (BICS) wants to set up an Islamic Community Centre at Waterside Park on Cookham Road. 

These plans have been in the pipeline since 2017 and now the group’s wish could be made a reality after planning officers recommended the proposal is given the go-ahead. 

This comes with almost 700 letters of support and 190 objections — but only around 200 of those who have sent comments in favour of the designs are from Bracknell Forest. 

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Those who object to the plan say the lack of car parking spaces at the site would mean more people parking on the street and more traffic on the roads. 

Others raised concerns about more noise coming from the site. 

Supporters of the plan include people from as far away as Blackpool, Norwich and Birmingham, as well as dozens from Bracknell Forest. 

One backer wrote: “Muslims desperately need a place of worship in Bracknell which is a lovely community to live in.

“A mosque in Bracknell will be invaluable.”

The centre would have three meeting rooms, separate men’s and women’s prayer halls, an Imam’s room, a creche, a library and more.

Six new homes in Ascot

Developers Ashley Homes Ltd wants to convert a barn into six new homes on land west of Prince Albert Drive in Ascot.

This means development in the green belt — something officers say is fine to go ahead. 

Despite this, it seems neighbours do not agree. More than three dozen objections have been sent to BFC opposing this plan. 

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Those who are against it say the building of the homes will impact the countryside, mean more noise pollution and will lead to more traffic. 
 

Three new homes in Warfield

Seven buildings would be knocked down to make way for three new dwellinghouses if councillors approve this plan. 

The new homes would go up at Nuptown Piggeries, Hawthorn Lane in Warfield if nodded through. 

Like with the above application, the site of this plot is also in the green belt, and also like with the above plan, officers believe this proposal should be given permission, too, as they there will be no greater impact on the openness of the countryside through this development. 

Warfield Parish Council has voiced its concerns about this plan, however, and so have sixteen residents who sent in objections. 

Those against the plan say the building of the homes would mean inappropriate development in the green belt, the homes would be out of keeping with the rest of the area and would mean those who use the countryside for leisure would be impacted. 

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Despite this, 19 comments have also been sent to BFC in support of the plans. 

Those in favour suggest the homes would enhance the surrounding area, would remove uncertainty around the future of the site as it is an “eyesore”, and would mean open views of the countryside are maintained. 

A new home in Winkfield Row 

A three-bedroom home could go up at the back of two cottages on Chavey Down Road in Winkfield Row if this application goes through. 

Officers are happy for the application to go through and have recommended the scheme for approval, but ten objections from neighbours could mean this is not a straightforward consideration for councillors. 

Objectors say the development would mean access is hindered for two properties nearby, the home would not be in character with the rest of the area and the two-storey building would be overbearing from neighbouring properties. 

Winkfield Parish Council has also opposed the plan, claiming it would have a harmful impact on the area because an extra home would constitute overdevelopment.