Warfield residents have said that they are ‘over the moon’ at the decision to reject the appeal from developers to build a 197 dwelling housing development across Bracknell countryside.

Developers first applied to the council in October 2020 to build on the area with the inclusion of a convenience store and a roundabout access from Forest Road.

Despite the developer’s vision that it would be a ‘holistic landscape-led approach, it would also mean a lose of valued farmland and increased traffic for local residents.

The appeal decision which was published on September 22 after a site visit said: "Put shortly, this would be a development in the wrong place, divorced from the existing urban area, and without sufficient benefits to overcome the clear harms identified."

Although considered nothing but a ‘buffer’ between the urban south area and rural land at the Hooks by developers, many horses have happily settled on the land over the years.

In an appeal correspondence with residents, one homeowner said: “This area of land at Home Farm is currently used to stable horses and one of the few places left in the area that offers sufficient turnout for horses - something that they really do require - while also providing a livelihood and income for several businesses offering livery services.

“The site is also home to many species of wildlife, including bats, deer, red kites, slow worms and badgers alike. Each of these have already seen their habitat diminish and it would be devastating for them if this were to happen further.”

The planning application was originally declined by Bracknell Forest Council when they found that the proposed development was considered to harm the significance of Home Farm as a Listed Building through development

This would have led to a loss of the character of the surrounding landscape.

In their original planning refusal they also said: “The proposed development would unacceptably increase the pressure on highways and transportation infrastructure, public open space, community, and educational facilities.”

Residents have applauded Bracknell Forest planning who remained steadfast against the decision.

The question about whether the developers will submit another appeal was however up for debate online.

Rebecca Murphy, trustee for CPRE Berkshire said: “I don't see any profitable avenues for pursuing this application, but they will be scrutinising the Decision (it would have to be on the basis of the Inspector making errors, and they would have to convince the Court they had an arguable case - it's a high bar).

“I suppose they could come in with a new application, but there would always be the background of this Decision, which found it to be "development in the wrong place". That can't be fixed.”

Max Baker, assistant director, planning, said: “We were very pleased that the inspector hearing this case supported our refusal of the application and dismissed the appeal. 

"The inspector agreed with our findings that the scheme would result in serious harm to the character and appearance of the locality and was not in a sustainable location. 

“He acknowledged the new homes would have provided a significant benefit but found that this and the other more minor benefits of the scheme were not sufficient to outweigh the harm it would cause. This was, ultimately, why we refused the application.”