A ‘cool’ design for a new self-build home in Crowthorne has been given the go-ahead.
A couple who live in the village applied to demolish their house at the Linkway and replace it with a two-storey modern home.
However, the project was hit with concerns about the possible removal of existing trees, potential damage to tree roots due to construction works, and the risk of flooding due to the removal of any trees on site.
The application received seven objections, meaning it had to be decided by Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee.
Councillor Tina McKenzie-Boyle (Conservative, Crowthorne) stated that a site visit with council officers helped address the concerns raised.
She said: “I think a number of issues have been allayed.
“We’ve heard there is a risk it’ll be a bit soggy, but it’s not going to be flooding, and we know there are a number of green ways of working; they’ve got the heat pump, so I’m very happy with that.
“One thing I did notice was that there was a clump of English bluebells. One bluebell is £1,000 if it was dug up, but that was noted, and that’s going to be preserved, and I’m really happy that the applicant will be preserving that area.”
She also said there is an “eclectic” range of housing along Linkway, and it is also situated near the boundary with Wokingham Borough.
The design was even described as ‘cool’ by a fellow councillor, providing the family with four bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and living area, a guest suite and roof-mounted solar panels.
Cllr Tony Virgo (Conservative, Winkfield & Warfield East) said: “I think the design is rather cool personally!
“But I don’t know if I can say that, but I think it’s rather good and it’s to be commended.
“If we could have reasonable control of hours, not overly strenuous control of hours, but reasonable, that would help give the neighbours some confidence.”
He then proposed a condition controlling the work hours from 8.30am to 6pm on weekdays, limited to the morning on Saturdays, with no work on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Cllr Jenny Penfold (Labour, Hanworth) said: “I was very impressed with the design, I was very impressed with the means they were hoping to take to preserve the tree roots, and provided they do abide with the conditions of building that have been suggested, I’m very happy with it.”
To address concerns about tree loss, a condition states that a detailed scheme to protect existing trees must be submitted prior to work commencing.
The replacement home project was unanimously approved, with the control on working hours proposed by cllr Virgo, at the meeting on Thursday, May 15.
You can view the application by typing reference 24/00816/FUL into Bracknell council’s planning portal.
