The fate of a controversial 38-house development in Binfield will be decided by Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) this week.

The application has gone to the council’s planning committee for a final decision since receiving nine objections from local residents.

The site, located at the junction of Wood Lane and Forest Road, would include 35 per cent of affordable homes to align with BFC’s housing targets.

It would build on an open field, currently surrounded by trees and hedging.

The 38 houses would be made up of a mixture of detached and semi-detached two storey dwellings – consisting of nine two-bed houses, 23 three-bed houses and six four-bed houses. Five of these would be under social rent, four under affordable rent, and four shared ownership.

The initial proposal, submitted in August 2023, wanted to build 40 houses, but this was reduced by two to provide changes to design and layout.

Residents opposing the development are concerned with the traffic issues it will cause on Forest Road. Cars turning in and out of the development would clog already busy roads.

There were more general complaints over the changing character of Binfield village with the possibility of more housing development.

One wrote to the council: “The roads are a complete minefield and wrecked with all the lorries and traffic through the village (which is no longer a village but a town), not enough school places or doctor appointments.”

A report prepared for the meeting recommends an approval of the development.

It notes that ‘the site’s character will change from an open to field to a residential development, which will have an impact on the landscape character of the site.’

But the document says that plans have been designed ‘sensitively with a sympathetic boundary’ to Forest Road.

The planning committee will meet on Thursday, July 18 to make a final decision.