A plan to build seven homes at a controversial backland development in Ascot is likely to be refused after being blasted by councillors.

Developer Nicholas King Homes is already building six homes on the site, but has applied to build an additional seven at the Furzefield development in Locks Ride, Ascot.

But the plan for the seven new homes was hit with 93 objections from neighbours expressing fury over the loss of countryside and lack of public transport and infrastructure in Winkfield & Cranbourne, the council ward the Furzefield development is situated in.

The scheme was considered at a meeting of Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee.

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Speaking during the meeting, Ruth Lyes – who objected to the plan – said: “This countryside backfill development creating a cul-de-sac of 13 dwellings is detrimental to and out of keeping with the surrounding form of development.

“There are no shops or medical facilities within reasonable walking distance, and the bus service is extremely limited.”

A central point of the debate during the meeting was that the  council does not have a ‘five year land supply’.

There were fears that the lack of a five year land supply could be used in an appeal to get the houses built.

But objecting councillors argued that the plan contravened policies on building on the countryside.

Policy 5.40 affirms the council’s commitment  to maintaining an open, rural, and undeveloped character of the land outside settlements.

Arguing this point, councillor Moira Gaw (Conservative, Winkfield & Cranbourne) said: “I think it’s true to say this application would have been refused without question had the five year land supply question come into play, and affected a tilted balance approach.

“This should not result in a free for all in planning approval.

“This location is not sustainable at all, there will be increased CO2 emissions as a result of compulsory car use.

“Let us not be guilty of downplaying our own countryside policies, they have proven robust on several occasions recently. I’m asking members to please refuse this application.”

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Additionally. Cllr Michael Gbadebo (Conservative, Great Hollands South) said: “I will not be voting for this because I strongly believe we have to protect our countryside.

“This is what our residents want us to do. I’m not against building in the right places, I welcome that, but we cannot go on like this.”

Wesley McCarthy, speaking for Nicholas King Homes, argued that ‘backfill’ developments are common in Winkfield & Cranbourne ward and planning permission should be granted to help Bracknell Forest Council achieve a five year land supply.

The scheme was recommended for approval by the council’s planning officer Paul  Corbett, but only Cllrs Colin Dudley (Conservative, Crown Wood) and Michael Brossard (Conservative, Central Sandhurst), the chair and vice chair of the committee, voted in favour of the plan – meaning a final decision will have to be made at a physical meeting.

The meeting on Thursday, November 11, was held in a virtual advisory capacity, which you can view in the twitter thread below: 

Decisions can still be made virtually where councillors delegate their decision making powers to officers.

For the planning committee, the decision can only be delegated if it matches the officer’s recommendation.

In this case, the committee’s decision diverged from officer Corbett’s recommendation, therefore the committee will have to meet in person to make a final decision on the plan, where it is likely to be refused.

Six homes are currently being built in the Furzefield development, consisting of two detached and two semi-detached houses.

You can view designs for Furzefield by typing in reference 20/00571/FUL into the council’s planning portal here: https://planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/online-applications/