CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 2,000 homes on protected countryside land in Warfield have taken their next step despite a small rebellion from Conservative councillors.
As featured in the latest version of Bracknell Forest’s draft local plan, the homes could be built on green belt land at Jealott’s Hill -- the site of multi-national chemicals company Syngenta.
A consultation on the strategy has now been given the go-ahead after all but five councillors approved the proposals for the next stage in the local plan process.
This comes despite strong local opposition from residents, dozens of whom lobbied councillors in the past week to throw out the controversial Jealott’s Hill proposals, which include:
- Building a Science and Innovation Park for Syngenta, funded by the development of the 2,000 new homes
- 700 affordable homes within the 2,000 new homes, which will be built on 115 hectares of green belt land
- A new primary school
- Two new country parks
- Eight traveller pitches
- A neighbourhood centre
- New access points to the site on the A395 Maidenhead Road and A330 Ascot Road
READ MORE: The Jealott's Hill revised plans in full
Councillor Chris Turrell, Bracknell Forest Council’s planning boss, said: “A key strategic site is land at Jealotts Hill.
“Here, we have the opportunity to facilitate redevelopment to create a world-class research centre. Green belt release is needed to finance it. We have reviewed this allocation closely since the draft plan was consulted upon, taking into account many of the comments made about the site.
“I recognise concerns expressed in some quarters about this site, but they are heavily outweighed by the benefits of comprehensive planning and forward-thinking: protection and creation of nationally and globally important employment and facilities, newly accessible green space, infrastructure improvements, community facilities and housing.
Syngenta could develop Jealott's Hill leading to the building of 4,000 homes
“We all know that preparing a local plan is contentious. Clearly, we will not satisfy everyone. The plan before you, balances our needs with the right forms of development in the right locations.”
But a small number of Conservative councillors voiced their opposition to the plan, including Binfield-with-Warfield councillor Ian Leake.
In a speech, he laid out a number of reasons why he could not get behind the Jealott’s Hill proposal.
READ MORE: Residents lobby councillors to oppose Jealott's Hill plan
These included:
- The loss of greenbelt land to housing
- A lack of long-term infrastructure supporting the site
- The possibility of affordable housing not being delivered
- The sustainability of the business proposal given it is stated in the local plan that the new Science Park is ‘not viable as a standalone commercial development’
He said: “I remain to be convinced that the appropriate long term infrastructure need has been properly assessed and analysed.
4,000 homes could be built at the site of Syngenta in Jealott's Hill
“Not to mention the undoubted visual intrusion, that will take place in what is currently a raised, open and protected Greenbelt location.
“And in relation to that, a further concern is that once the Greenbelt land has been zoned for development, it is lost, it is gone forever.
READ MORE: Save Jealott's Hill group gives verdict on revised plan for new homes
“There is absolutely no guarantee that what is planned now will actually come to fruition and remained unchanged in future plans, or decisions.”
Cllr Tony Virgo, another Tory rebel, said: “One of the issues I have entered every election that I have performed is on preserving the Greenbelt.
“It would be a total betrayal to my residents for me to go against these principles, at this point.”
Syngenta could develop Jealott's Hill leading to the building of 4,000 homes
Cllrs Leake and Virgo were joined by fellow Conservatives Moira Gaw and Rob McLean in refusing to back the Jealott’s Hill proposal, culminating in their voting against the latest version of the draft local plan.
Labour’s Patricia Brown abstained, but the other 33 councillors present at the Bracknell Forest Council meeting voted in favour of kickstarting a consultation on the draft local plan and sending it to the Secretary of State for examination.
The consultation will run from Tuesday, March 23 to Tuesday, May 11.
READ MORE: Jealott's Hill campaigners preparing for legal bid
Following the vote, a spokesperson for the Save Jealott’s Hill campaign -- a local group that opposes the Syngenta proposal -- said: “we are disappointed by the result of the vote but not surprised.
“We are proud of the councillors who voted against the draft plan and stood by their constituents and their principles.
Jealott's Hill in Warfield could soon be home to 4,000 homes if plans are pushed forward
“We feel energised for the consultation and the inquiry.
“We are well resourced and will announce our legal team shortly.
“The Planning staff at BFC are to be complimented on a very professional plan which, with the exception of the Jealott’s Hill policy, could do much good for the Borough but that is going to be delayed now.”
Bracknell Forest Council met to discuss the draft local plan on Tuesday, March 16.
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