A HUGE 12-storey block of flats slammed as ‘resembling eastern Europe’ at the 'entrance to Bracknell' has been approved by councillors despite pushback.

Plans for 119-homes have been approved as the Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee met on Thursday, August 15 to decide on nearly 200 new homes for the Bracknell Forest borough.

The largest of these plans were 119 homes south of the A329 motorway and east of Vigar Way. It will be comprised of four apartment blocks and 12 houses, 35 per cent of which will be affordable. A primary school, neighbourhood centre, and recreation facilities will also be built alongside the new homes.

But councillor Tony Virgo blasted the design as ‘resembling eastern Europe’ due to the grey cladding planned for the building. He said that given the location upon the entrance to Bracknell, this was a concern.

Council officers noted that the height of the buildings, one reaching 12-storeys high, ‘does not reflect the immediate character of the area’.

Councillor Caroline Egglestone further raised concerns with the amount of daylight for residents in the block. She said a lack of light was ‘bad for people’s mental health’ and resulted in people using electricity ‘when they shouldn’t be’.

Some also took an issue with the proximity to the motorway, with Cllr Virgo claiming that ‘sound will be a huge problem’.

Planning officers assured councillors that a noise impact assessment had been carried out, and that trees would be planted to create a sense of distance from the busy road.

The committee eventually voted in favour of the plans, with three voting for, one against and three abstaining.

A further two developments were approved by members at the same meeting – comprising of 42 and 38 houses respectively.

42 houses will be built in Winkfield Row after outline approval was granted. The application was first received in 2019 but had been reported back to the planning committee because developers were unable to secure the provision of a pedestrian and cycle access.

Councillors were asked to reconsider the application on the basis that this was no longer a requirement and voted unanimously in favour.

A further 38 homes at the junction of Wood Lane and Forest Road in Binfield were given the green light.

The original plan wanted to build 40 houses, but this has been reduced by two.

Cllr Virgo said he had ‘grave concerns’ about the land draining plans from Thames Water, which was to dispose ground water into a sewer.

The member for Winkfield and Warfield East criticised Thames Water as an ‘idiotic organisation’, and claimed the council had to do more to secure better drainage management.

Four councillors voted in favour while one voted against, and two abstained.