Plan for 54 homes between Bracknell and Wokingham approved

The developer Beaulieu Homes had submitted a plan to build 54 homes west of St Anne’s Drive and south of London Road.

Despite being located between the two towns, the site falls entirely within Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee refused the scheme, ruling that it would not provide proper separation between Wokingham and Bracknell.

In a meeting, councillors Pete Dennis (Liberal Democrats, Wescott) and Gregor Murray (Conservative, Norreys) both spoke against it, with cllr Dennis saying the development would result in an unacceptable loss of trees, and cllr Murray arguing the proposed access from London Road would be dangerous.

READ MORE: Plan for 54 homes between Bracknell and Wokingham refused

However, that decision has been overturned a year on.

Beaulieu Homes appealed to the government planning inspectorate to get the plan approved.

Therefore an inquiry was undertaken by government planning inspector Ian Jenkins.

Although he agreed the development would conflict the measures to maintain separation between Wokingham and Bracknell, he ultimately allowed the appeal, meaning the 54 homes can be built.

Mr Jenkins noted that the site is located next to other development sites, particularly Keephatch Gardens north of London Road.

Where the 54 homes can be been built on land south of St Anne's Manor, just outside Wokingham. Credit: STA Associates / Beaulieu Homes / Google Maps

He also supported Beaulieu Homes plan for affordable housing, with 19 being designated affordable, made up of a mix of three-bed and two-bed houses and one and two-bed apartments.

The plan received 86 public objections, with some arguing it would have a negative impact on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA), with future occupants encroaching into the area.

The SPA was established to protect vulnerable ground-nesting birds.

READ MORE: Plan for hundreds of homes that could bridge gap between Bracknell and Wokingham

However, Mr Jenkins ruled that future occupants would be able to use recently established suitable areas of natural green space (SANGs) instead.

Mr Jenkins said: “I do not share the concern raised by some members of the public that Keephatch Meadows SANG and Piglittle Field SANG would not be suitable to serve the needs of the appeal site, due to the time it would take to walk to them and the need to cross busy roads.

“I found the walk between the appeal site and each of those SANG’s to be reasonably short and facilitated by signal-controlled road crossings.

“I acknowledge that some residents of the proposed development may use Buckhurst Meadows SANG.

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“However, it does not follow that the level of use would encourage local residents to travel to the SPA instead, not least as other SANGs, such as Keephatch Meadows SANG, are available close by.

“I am content that the overall level of SANG provision proposed would satisfactorily safeguard the interests of the SPA.”

Mr Jenkins allowed the appeal in a decision made in December 2022, a year after it was refused by the council’s planning committee.

You can view the application by typing reference 203544 into the council’s planning portal, and find the appeal decision by typing reference APP/X0360/W/22/3297645 into the planning inspectorate website.