Warfield set to get nine new homes despite concerns

Land south-west of Abbey Place would make way for the new dwellings should council planning bosses give the proposal the go-ahead next week.

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But residents living close by on Old Farmhouse Row are worried about the development’s “dangerous” impact on access, given heavy good vehicles will need to drive by their properties should the plans be rubber-stamped.

One commented: “No construction traffic should be allowed through Abbey Place.

“Most residents walkthrough to takes pets for a walk, and to have large construction vehicles driving through would be extremely dangerous.”

Another Old Farmhouse Row resident noted the added flood risk from the development.

They said: “There is an increased flood risk from this development in addition to the actual flooding which has resulted from the new Millgate development adjoining the car park area and garages owned by 1 to 4 OFR, a problem which has not yet been resolved.”

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Despite objections from five properties and another from Warfield Parish Council, who opposed on the grounds of overdevelopment at the site, planning officers at Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) say the proposal should go ahead.

The council’s highways officer believes there is “adequate space” within the development area to ensure vehicles, including lorries and trucks, can move back and forth from the site.

Impact on neighbouring properties would “not be severe to warrant an objection” from the highways officer.

Regarding the flooding issue, the council’s drainage expert says applicants have made efforts to combat surface water flooding.

They are proposing to widen a ditch along the western boundary of the site which will lead to drainage improvements.

The homes would consist of two three-bedroom dwellings, one four-bedroom house, four two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom apartments.

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An equivalent to a quarter of the homes would be affordable, with two flats being affordable and an extra £13,000 being contributed to the council’s affordable housing pot.

This site was the subject of a planning application for ten homes refused in 2015 and thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate a year later.

Officers have recommended the new plan goes ahead but a final decision on the proposal will be made at a meeting of Bracknell Forest’s planning committee on Thursday, September 10.