Controversial plans to build a large house in a leafy Ascot suburb have reappeared again—after being rejected twice already in the past five years.

Residents of Sunningdale have already seen off the plans twice for a large house on the affluent Greenways Drive.

Two previous applications were rejected by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council on the grounds that the size of the house could damage important protected trees, and be out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Several objections were recieved in both instances from residents and the parish council.

This time around, the applicant has stated the new plans will not damage surrounding trees, will not be too big, and will be in keeping with the local area. However, neighbours remain unconvinced and the fresh application has again received objections.

Initial plans to build a detached, five-bedroom house on land behind 21 and 24 Greenways Drive were first submitted in the name of Declan Kelly in January 2019.

At the time, residents pointed out that a number of protected trees at 24 Greenways Drive had already been felled without permission, apparently in preparation for construction.

The council refused the application in April that year, saying the site of the new house 'would appear cramped and overdeveloped'. It added the plans failed to protect 'important protected  trees some of which have been felled already'.

Developers soon submitted a fresh application in March 2020, claiming to have reduced the space the new house would take up.

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But residents still said the house would be too large for the site. One, Anita Bowles, told the council the application “makes a mockery” of council measures surrounding protected trees.

The council again refused the plans in November that year, saying: “The proposed development will have a significant detrimental impact upon the long-term health of protected trees, leading to their early demise.”

Now, some two and a half years later, Mr Kelly has submitted plans once again. A statement from architects Arktek says the house would “blend in” with and not overlook nearby houses, and wouldn’t be too large for the land it is to be built on.

Mr Kelly also has had a tree survey report from specialist Quaife Woodlands to say the new house 'will not cause unacceptable harm to the trees or the site’s character'.

However, residents are not convinced and have once again written in to complain that “very little has changed” from the previous applications.

Mrs Ahmed, of Greenways Drive, said: “Many healthy trees on this site were illegally removed 2020 and were not replaced or the parties fined.

“This house will be squeezing into a small plot wedged between other dwellings and not in keeping with the low to medium density it should be.

“This scheme will require three trees to be felled and the roots of several trees compromised. We must protect the trees and green spaces. This is an unacceptable loss of green habitat and garden space.”

You can view and comment on the application on Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's planning website, searching for application number 23/01219/FULL