A controversial plan to build more than 200 homes has been quashed, with over 100 residents objecting to the ‘awful’ development. 

Southern Housing Group’s proposal to build 226 homes at Beaufort Park, located off Nine Mile Ride between Bracknell and Crowthorne, was rejected by councillors at today’s Bracknell Forest Council planning meeting. 

Chair of Crowthorne Village Action Group, Andy Holley, said the refusal was “great news” after councillors went against the officer’s recommendation to approve. 

“We do expect that they will return with a revised application, so we have to be ready for that,” he added.   

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If approved, the site would have seen the creation of a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced housing, as well as 24 two-bedroom apartments contained within six two-storey buildings. 

The two and three-storey homes were to consist of 79 two-beds, 94 three-beds and 53 four-beds – with 50 per cent allocated as affordable housing. 

The application received over 100 objections from residents, as well as Bracknell Town and Crowthorne Parish council’s, with concerns raised about the loss of green space, increased traffic, and a lack of sufficient local facilities. 

The senior development manager at Southern Housing, James Palmer, said the company is “committed” to delivering affordable housing to the area and insisted the development would “deliver the vision” that the council set out in its emerging plan. 

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However, Mr Holley, who spoke against the development in-person at the committee meeting, highlighted that the site is not in the current approved local plan. 

“It is identified in the emerging local plan, but that is still going through the process of external examination. […] The hearings are ongoing, and the examiners haven’t yet delivered their report. 

“For this applicant to submit for planning whilst the examination is in process shows a disregard for the democratic process,” he said. 

Concerned residents said the development, which would have seen the loss of 11 hectares of woodland, would “spoil the rural location” if it went ahead. 

Cllr Michael Gbadebo agreed that the development failed to make “adequate provision” for parking and was “not persuaded” by the submitted evidence that a relaxation of the council’s adopted standards would not cause problems. 

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There were plans for 499 car parking spaces for residents and 46 spaces reserved for visitors, leaving a shortfall of 21 spaces – 12 for the apartments and nine for visitors – which residents felt would leave nearby roads “heavily congested”. 

Mr Holley thanked councillors for “speaking up for the residents who they represent” but said there needs to be a “serious review” of how many homes are needed in the area. 

“Over three years from 2018 to 2021 Bracknell has delivered more than twice the required number of houses, delivering 3,487 against a target of 1,609.  The emerging local plan also identifies an excess of housing over projected need,” he added.