An 'outrageous' 305-home neighbourhood in Binfield is a step closer to being built after getting planning permission despite concerns.

Developers, Persimmon Homes plan to build the neighbourhood at Amen Corner South, just west of Bracknell, spanning the border with Wokingham.

The proposed development is for 305 dwellings, including a total of 12 apartment blocks across the site, comprising a range of one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses.

Binfield residents had raised fears that the new homes would increase traffic and demand on nearby services and schools.

In an objection to the application one person on a nearby street worried that initial plans didn’t include a new primary school to serve residents. She said: “Over 300 dwellings and no school provision is outrageous.

“The local school infrastructure will not be able to accommodate 300 new families as the local school, Kings Academy Oakwood, only takes 30 children per year who will all come from the current amen corner development. Where are all of these children going to go to school?”

But Bracknell Forest Council officers said developers would have to reserve land on the site for a new primary school if there’s a need for new spaces.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the scheme at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, August 17, although some raised concerns about the primary school.

Councillor Sheila Collings said: “I am very concerned if the school on site doesn’t come forward that we will end up with a large number of primary school children who may have to be spread throughout the borough to accommodate them.”

READ MORE: Plans for new 305-home neighbourhood in Binfield

And councillor Dorothy Hayes worried about increased traffic and the impact on the Longshot Lane waste and recycling tip.

She said: “I understand we have to commit to housing if we haven’t met our numbers. I still worry about the position of where this is because of the traffic.”

She added: “These sites are coming out everywhere. Longshot Lane – is there a possibility in the future that officers consider the pressure that is going to be put on our collection of waste and dispersal of it?”

Councillor Michael Karim asked whether the steep hills on the site would make some streets inaccessible to disabled people. He said: “A disabled person should have full access to the different areas of the development.”

Planning officer Simon Roskilly replied that some of the footpaths “aren’t great” but that the plans provided alternative routes that disabled people could use.

Councillors voted to grant outline planning permission – meaning developers will need to apply for further approval for more detailed plans of layout, scale, external appearance and landscaping.