AN Italian restaurant owner who battled for eight years to get approval to build a home in the venue's car park has finally been given permission, in a move she has said is 'marvellous'.

Bracknell Forest Council's planning committee finally gave the green light to Don Benis in Winkfield to build a residential home in the car park of the restaurant on Thursday, August 15, after previously refusing the plans multiple times.

Since 2016 Sarah and Francesco Beni have wanted to build a four-bedroom house next to their restaurant on Winkfield Row. Plans were first submitted to the council in 2018, but were subsequently refused over parking and neighbour concerns by planning committee members.

By 2020, three applications had been refused due to ongoing issues with parking and the impact on local residents. The most recent plan voted against by councillors despite planning officers recommending approval. It was then taken to an inspectorate at appeal, who granted approval for the plans – only for the permission to run out, meaning the pair had to seek reapproval.

The approval finally came at a Bracknell Forest planning committee meeting on August 15 - eight years on from first talks with the council over plans.

Following the latest decision, Sarah Beni told the News: “I feel amazing to finally be able to build my house. We have pressed for a long time, five or six times.”

The co-owner added that there had been little trouble from neighbours, who had frequently raised concerns with the plans when taken to the council. Those living nearby the restaurant had taken issue with the ‘nonsensical’ plans, concerned with the impact of reduced parking spaces it will have on the surrounding area.

The plans involve one out of 21 parking spaces being used, and the house will include three off-street parking spaces.

Sarah Beni previously told the News in 2020 that the proposals had fallen victim to ‘pettiness’ from neighbours who were ‘obsessed’ with opposing the plans. She said: “The house itself is for us. It’s not to be sold for development. We have every right to it, it’s not out of character what we are trying to put in there.”

The co-owner added that the restaurant had served the community for 25 years, often allowing people to use the car park even if they aren't customers of the restaurant.

At the planning committee meeting, Bracknell Forest councillor Tony Virgo highlighted that residents were ‘dead against’ the plans. He said granting approval was ‘regrettable’ because many houses around Winkfield Row already don’t have somewhere to park their cars.

Cllr Virgo voted against the motion despite approval required by the appeal, while another councillor abstained, and five voted in favour.