150 more homes will be built in Warfield as part of major plans to transform the rural village into a major residential area.

Bracknell Forest Councillors approved the latest chunk of a total 2,200 homes at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, October 10.

Harcourt Developments will build the houses north of Priory Lane Fields. This is on the southeast corner of the crossroads of Newell Green, Warfield Street and Osborne Lane, close to the Plough and Harrow pub. It will be comprised of 35 per cent affordable housing, and at least five per cent accessible units.

The plans were meant to be decided in September, but it was pushed to this month’s planning committee meeting.

Some concerns were raised over the impact of housing on the countryside location, which contains natural hedgerows and oak trees.

Two roundabouts would be built on the cars to facilitate cars to drive around the new development easily. But the placement of one of these would require the removal of a mature oak tree – of which the council has said ‘all alternative options’ have been considered.

Councillor Tony Virgo said: “It does concern me when I see oak trees being pulled down in this borough, I just think we shouldn’t do it, frankly.”

The ward member for Winkfield added that the area was ‘natural countryside’ and that the appearance of the field ‘breaks up the development’.

But the councillor accepted that it will ‘give Warfield a centre, which it needs’, leading him to support the plans with ‘annoyance’.

The neighbourhood centre would have suitable units for a convenience store, bakery, hairdressers or estate agent, according to plans.

The Warfield Strategic Development, first approved in 2015, will deliver not only thousands of homes, but employment, a neighbourhood centre, two primary schools and a community hub. This is to ensure enough infrastructure is built to support the growing populations in an area which has been ‘undeserved’ in its community facilities.

Plans for the community hub are set to be discussed by council leaders at an upcoming Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 15. It will provide a range of facilities which could include a café and events area, sports hall, mid-sized hall, dance studio and meeting rooms.

Warfield Parish Council will also be based at the centre, with a council chamber included inside.

Outline approval for the 150 homes was given unanimously, meaning committee members agreed with the plans ‘in principle’.