THE FAMILY behind a popular Italian restaurant will be allowed to build a home at the back of their diner after planning inspectors overruled the council.
A four-bedroom house will go up at the rear of Don Beni on Winkfield Row following a lengthy planning battle.
It comes after Bracknell Forest Council threw out the proposals in July 2020 over fears the building would make roads less safe with fewer car parking spaces at the restaurant.
Don Beni in Winkfield Row
The Beni family launched an appeal against the decision in November 2020, asking the Planning Inspectorate, a government agency which deals with refused plans, to overturn the verdict.
And yesterday, (February 15), the agency did just that — overruling Bracknell Forest Council’s decision and granting the family permission to build their new home.
READ MORE: Why councillor said no to plans for a new home behind Italian restaurant
The result marks the end of a planning battle which has spanned almost five years for the family, with early proposals being discussed way back in 2016.
Sarah Beni, who owns the restaurant with her family, told the News: “I’m absolutely overjoyed.
Don Beni in Winkfield Row
“It’s been a really tough four years trying to get it [approved].
“It’s been a battle but now the Planning Inspectorate has seen sense.”
READ MORE: Don Beni restaurant owner hits back at objections to new home plan
The plans refused in July 2020 were dismissed following objections from 13 residents and the council’s own highways officer.
Councillors said no to the designs on the belief reducing the number of car parking spaces available at the site would mean more motorists park on the road, leading to potential safety issues.
But the Planning Inspectorate concluded the proposal ‘would not harm highway safety’.
And Sarah told the News the plan “was not going to cause an issue.”
READ MORE: Don Beni Italian restaurant home plan explained
Having contemplated moving away from the area had the Inspectorate dismissed the plan, she added: “We are just so relieved.
“Now it has made our minds up that we are going to stay and not have to rethink.”
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