Residents have expressed fury over the 349-home town centre development recently given the green light by the council. 

The Bracknell Beeches scheme will see the construction of seven new buildings, ranging from four to 16 storeys, after it was approved at the latest planning committee meeting – where over a third of the members were absent from the discussions. 

Residents responded angrily, saying the “eyesore” was a demonstration of their views being “totally ignored” and accused the council of being “out of touch” after committee members called the plans “exciting”. 

“Who on this earth can call these plans exciting? How can it be right that decision making on such an important development is taken by just 11 councillors?” one asked. 

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The application had 66 objections lodged against it and just two comments in support of the plan, as residents say they are “sick” of the new developments taking place across the borough. 

Other recent developments that may be coming to the area include three towers comprising 169 flats on Market Street and a further 142 homes on the Jennett’s Park estate, as well as an approved plan for 126 flats on Larges Lane – at the site of the former Bracknell Town FC stadium. 

Residents are exasperated at “yet more flats” and have decried the lack of infrastructure plans to account for the potential influx of new housing sites. 

“When are you going to start building the new schools, doctor’s surgeries & dentists to accommodate for all [of] these?” one exclaimed. 

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The designs include provisions for 401 car parking spaces – made up of 349 residential spaces and for 38 visitors – 672 cycle spaces and electric vehicle charging points, as well as a new access to Bracknell train station from the south side.   

Some worried that the extra cars and traffic will mean the borough’s air quality “will suffer”. 

An occupant of Old Bracknell Lane spoke in support of the development, saying it is an “excellent idea” and the new homes would help “solve the housing crisis” in the borough. 

The new development contains 43 affordable homes – 12.3 per cent – less than half of the 25 per cent minimum target outlined in the borough’s local plan.  

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The vice-chair of the committee, Cllr Michael Brossard, said in the meeting that what was proposed is “entirely appropriate” and whilst he “appreciates” the shortfall in affordable housing, the “viability test has been undertaken”. 

Responding to the comments, the chair of the planning committee, Cllr Colin Dudley, said a decision was made that took into account the “various views and matters raised” by residents during the life of the application.   

“The full report covers the key planning considerations that were balanced and fully considered by the committee before reaching its decision to approve the scheme,” he added.