A NEW gym is coming to Bracknell town centre creating jobs and space for about 120 members.
That’s after council planners gave permission for the now vacant car rental garage to be converted. Also this week, planners blocked a new deli from opening up in Crowthorne, despite local support.
Here’s this week’s round-up of the most interesting planning decisions made by Bracknell Forest Council.
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New gym in the town centre
A new gym is coming to Bracknell town centre, after planners gave permission for a vacant car hire garage to be converted into a fitness studio. The empty garage on 15 Market Street used to be occupied by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and is under the High Street car park.
But now a new gym company, Base Strength and Conditioning, are planning on offering tailored coaching in their members-only gym. They estimate signing up about 120 members in total, and will have space for 12 members in each class.
The gym will open from 6am to 9pm during the week, 8am to 2pm on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. Planning agents for the business said the gym will employ three full time staff.
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Refused: New deli in Crowthorne
Planners refused permission for a new deli in Crowthorne, after the owners applied to convert a shop on Crown Corner, on the High Street. The deli and coffee shop would have served hot and cold food, from breakfast and brunch, lunch and through the afternoon.
The deli would have sold cured meat, cheese, bread, and artisan coffee. The plans were also to stay open until 10pm about twice a month for supper clubs and cheese and wine tastings.
Despite lots of local people supporting the deli, planners refused to grant permission and did not publicly give a reason for the refusal. The new business would have employed six full time staff.
Falling tree damages property
Sundeep Nath told the council an old Beech tree had fallen in his garden and said it “had caused a lot of damage” to his property, Fines Bayliwick Hotel, on London Road, Binfield. He asked whether the council could send a tree surgeon to take it away.
Neil Barton, an assistant tree officer at the council, told Mr Nath he legally has to replace the tree by November, because the fallen one was subject to a tree preservation order.
Mr Barton said: “Replacement planting is considered necessary in the interests of the landscape character and appearance of the area.
“The landowner is therefore required to plant two new, healthy, well-formed trees in accordance with the following requirements, by November 30.”
The new beech trees have to be planted in the same place as the fallen one, be of a certain size, and Mr Nath has to tell the council once he’s planted them.
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