Plans to demolish a block of garages and replace it with housing have been given the go-ahead – despite warnings from neighbours that parking issues will get worse.

Housing association Silva Homes wants to demolish the garages behind Mostyn House off Merryhill Road in Priestwood and build 11 homes there instead. But residents of nearby streets say it is already a struggle to park in the area.

One neighbour, Kelly Hargreaves, told Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee: “The entrance to the garage block is not safe.

“When you are coming out of the garage block your view is obstructed from the left and because of the overflow of parking from the flats because there are not enough parking aces people are coming down on the wrong side of the road so you don’t’ see them until you’re pulling out.

READ MORE: Why it's getting harder to find a parking space in Bracknell

“This has been an issue for many years and adding traffic to that is going to make that a lot worse.”

Speaking on behalf of Silva Homes, Kelly Royston said 65 per cent of the garages are empty. She said those owning or renting them would be offered new ones on nearby Dukeshill Road.

Silva Homes also says a parking survey it carried out found the number of cars parked on the site outside garages is very low.

Kelly Royston said: “The existing garages are dilapidated and in poor condition. The majority of the garages – 65 per cent – are currently vacant with only 19 garages currently in use.

“Fourteen existing parking spaces will be re-provided reflecting the existing level of parking demand observed outside Mostyn House and the garage forecourt.”

She added that garages on Dukeshill road would be refurbished for new occupants. But Kelly Hargreaves those who owned garages on Merryhill Road would ‘fight all the way not to sell’.

Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee approved the plans on Thursday, June 13. But some of its members said they couldn’t vote in favour as they were also concerned about the parking.

Councillor Peter Frewer said: “The problems we have as councillors from residents are parking, parking and parking. I just think this is just going to cause more problems.”

But councillor Tricia Brown said they were left with no choice but to allow the plans as they met the council’s parking standards. Two parking spaces will be provided for each new home, along with two visitor parking spaces and fourteen more for Mostyn House.

A council highways officer suggested that this could improve parking in the area.

Councillor Brown said: “I feel really cross about this – the parking in Priestwood is horrendous.

“Unfortunately this application adheres to all the standards. I don’t think we can reject it on those grounds as much as we would like to.”