CHANGES at Sandhurst Town Football Club being withdrawn and the refusal of a 32-house development in Finchampstead feature in this week’s round-up of planning decisions.

The decisions have been made by either Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough Council and can be viewed on the respective council’s planning website and searching for the application number provided.

Wokingham Borough: 240150

Risley Business Park will be used for education use after plan approval was given by Wokingham Borough Council this week. Currently used for offices, the space on Risley Road will become a school. There isn’t much information on what this school will be yet, but the council has said it can only have up to 64 pupils.

Bracknell Forest: 24/00135/FUL

Plans for two houses to be built on Fernback Road in Ascot has been refused. First put to the council in March, planners proposed to demolish the existing house and replace it with two semi-detached dwellings.

But Bracknell Forest Council ruled that this would result in a cramped development, contrary to their plan for housing. It also said that the application failed to provide sufficient information on how it will not impact the trees it will be built close to.

Wokingham Borough: 230594

Formal parking spaces for St Bartholomew’s Church in Arborfield has also been approved. 24 parking bays will be available for visitors, after certain conditions are met.

No development can take place until the proposed surfacing of the car park has been submitted to the council, in order to prevent water flooding. Wokingham Borough Council has also said no trees can be cut down in the process.

Wokingham Borough: 232298

An application for the building of up to 32 houses near Nine Mile Road in Finchampstead has been refused. The plan had proved unpopular with residents, already unhappy with the changes taking place around Finchampstead.

In the refusal decision, the council said the loss of trees caused by the development would give it a more suburban than woodland look, which would ‘erode the character and appearance’ of the area.

Bracknell Forest: 21/00265/FUL

An application to erect three outbuildings consisting of new storage, classrooms and spectator units at Sandhurst Town Football Club has been withdrawn.

The plan, first submitted to the council in 2021, also wanted to split the existing spectator stand in two. It also proposed thirteen new parking spaces which would accommodate the increase in overall size.

The Environment Agency recommended that the council refused the planning permission as it did not include a flood risk assessment. They recommended that the applicant submitted a new proposal which addressed this shortfall.