Bracknell school disappointed as forest expansion is refused

Crown Wood Primary already has a forest school, where pupils can learn outdoors, but wanted to expand it into open woodland and install a two-metre boundary fence to secure the additional space.

The plan, if approved, would have enclosed the woodland next to Opladen Way, with locations within it containing bat and bird boxes, hedgehog houses, hibernation spots for reptiles and a log pyramid for invertebrates.

However, neighbours objected at a Bracknell Forest Council planning committee meeting on December 16, 2022.

During that meeting, neighbours’ objections were put forward by David Bennett, who lives in nearby Queens Pine.

READ MORE: Bracknell school's hope to secure forest for education likely to be shut down

Mr Bennett, who is also a member of the Queens Pine Action Group, expressed fears that woodland fires could spread, and that habitat would be lost if the school got its way.

He said: “The risk of fire spreading above ground under the roots has given residents grave concern for danger to their properties, our lives, wildlife and the surrounding community.

“The residents, including our children, benefit from the biodiversity of the untouched woodland.

“Loss of this wildlife that visits our gardens from the woodland makes us extremely sad.

“The damage that will happen to the woodland with the installation of new fences, tree removal, crowning and clearance for the fences will cause significant damage to the ecosystem.”

The fire pit at the 'Forest School' Crown Wood Primary School in Bracknell runs. Credit: Bracknell Forest Council

Defending the plan, councillor Dale Birch (Conservative, Little Sandhurst and Wellington) argued the council has received no complaints about activity at Crown Wood Primary’s current forest school, and that an expanded facility would increase educational opportunities for pupils.

Although the majority of the committee was against the plan, it decided to defer a decision on it so adequate reasons for refusal could be devised.

Crown Wood Primary’s forest school expansion plan was formally rejected on Thursday, January 19.

Colin Dudley (Conservative, Crown Wood) the representative for the area and committee chairman proposed that the plan be refused, arguing associated noise, activity and smoke and fumes from fires would cause an unacceptable loss of amenities for the school’s neighbours.

The motion to refuse was seconded by cllr Michael Gbadebo (Conservative, Great Hollands South).

READ MORE: Plan for two semi-detached homes in Bracknell rejected in latest planning decisions 

Councillors Dr Gareth Barnard (Conservative, Warfield Harvest Ride) and Tricia Brown (Labour, Priestwood and Garth) abstained as they were not at the previous meeting.

Susan Thomas, acting co-head teacher of Crown Wood Primary, said: “We are disappointed in the decision and are considering next steps.”

‘Forest schools’ are places where pupils can learn outdoor skills and connect with nature in a safe environment.

You can view the refused application by typing reference 21/00978/FUL  into the council’s planning portal.