New care home, changes to farms in Berkshire villages coming

The planning committees for Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council met this week.

The biggest plan decided on across both areas was an application to replace an existing care home with a new, larger one in an upscale village along the River Thames.

Meanwhile, in Bracknell Forest, changes are coming to two farms in the rural part of the borough.

To see the decided applications in detail, type the references in brackets into the relevant council’s planning portal.

Replacement village nursing home approved (Wokingham app 222456)

A sketch of the approved new Mount care home in School Hill, Wargrave. Credit: Pozzoni

Care company Aedifica successfully applied to replace The Mount nursing home in School Hill, Wargrave with a brand new one.

The Mount is a three storey home which currently has 35 ensuite rooms and capacity of 37 people - see what it looks like the inset photo above.

But following the approval, developers can now build a new care home with 65 ensuite rooms.

However, 11 neighbours objected, with Nicola Jordan arguing the new build will out of character with the area, cause disturbance during construction, and disrupt activity at the Robert Piggot junior and infant schools on the road.

New bungalow approved (Wokingham app 22256)

The plan for the bungalow on land at 304 London Road, Wokingham. Credit: Whiterock Architectural Services

Wokingham’s planning committee approved a plan to build a new bungalow off London Road in the town.

The location plan shows the new build tucked away close to Proctors Road.

The agent for developer said they initially wanted to build a two-storey home, but this was reduced to a bungalow following discussions with officers.

The proposed location and block plan for the bungalow to the rear of 304 London Road, Wokingham. Credit: Whiterock Architectural Services

The home will come with two bedrooms, a separate kitchen and living room, and a bathroom with toilet.

Concerns were raised about the vehicular access, with councillor Wayne Smith (Conservative, Hurst) calling the plan “disjointed.”

Replacement of farm buildings with six homes (21/00657/FUL)

The block plan for the six homes approved at Windmill Farm in Malt Hill, Warfield. Credit: JPA

Paul Knights, the owner of Windmill Farm in the village of Malt Hill, successfully applied to replace two barns with six four-bedroom homes.

Of those, three will be detached, with three houses being connected in one building.

10 neighbours objected, with at least one pointing out that the site falls in the Green Belt, which should only be built on in exceptional circumstances.

However, planning officer Sarah Fryer highlighted that prior approval has already been given for the construction of five homes on the site.

The plan was unanimously approved.

New barn for sheep in Warfield Parish (22/00515/FUL)

A new barn for sheep will be built at Malt Hill Farm, also in Malt Hill.

The plan proved controversial as it received 43 objections, with at least one neighbour arguing the application was a ploy to build a barn but eventually convert it into a light industrial unit and then housing.

A condition of the approval is that the barn cannot be converted into housing, which was welcomed by cllr Tony Virgo (Conservative, Winkfield & Cranbourne).

READ MORE: Warfield Neighbourhood Plan adopted after hundreds support blueprint

The plan was unanimously approved.

Construction of the barn will be controlled as it lies in the Green Belt.