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Plans for a new estate that bridges the gap between Bracknell and Crowthorne have cleared a major hurdle in a long-running saga.
The Southern Housing project to build 226 homes at Beaufort Park has finally been approved, despite being opposed by neighbours since plans first emerged in 2021.
In Bracknell itself, adjustments to a plan for a new care home have been made.
Over the border in Wokingham Borough, early plans for 171 homes south of the town have been approved, and a pub company plan for accommodation has been rejected again.
You can view each application featured by typing the reference in brackets into the relevant council’s planning portal.
Huge Beaufort Park development clears planning hurdle (23/00767/FUL)
The plan for 226 new homes at Beaufort Park has been fully approved as developer Southern Housing has signed a legal agreement with Bracknell Forest Council.
The project involves the cutting down of 11 hectares of woodland and plantation trees to make way for the new homes, of which 113 will be designated affordable.
The development has officially been approved as Southern Housing has signed a section 106 legal agreement with the council, laying out the financial contributions it will make to invest in vital infrastructure and services.
The project has proved controversial, being rejected by the council’s planning committee in 2022. Plans were revised after that with the committee approving it in March 2024.
Changes made to plan for huge care home (24/00323/NMA)
Changes have been made to a care home in Bracknell that is set to be opened later this year.
The care home that is under construction in Turnpike Road was originally permitted to provide 68 beds for the elderly.
However, the council has approved an adjustment to reduce the provision to 62 beds.
It is understood the care home will be run by Barchester Healthcare, which has called it ‘Farley Gardens’.
Details for 171 new homes and greenspace south of Wokingham approved (Wokingham app 192325)
More detailed plans for 171 new homes in a major development south of the railway line in Wokingham have been approved.
The South Wokingham major development will see around 2,500 homes and a new estate built below the South Western Railway line once fully completed.
The project is divided into separate areas so that councillors can assess the plans in greater detail.
Outline plans for up to 171 new homes and detailed plans for a suitable area of natural green space (SANG) submitted by Charles Church Developments were approved by the council on Christmas Eve 2024.
Pub plan for hotel rooms refused again (Wokingham app 242654)
A plan by the Chef & Brewer company to create five hotel rooms at Ye Olde Leathern Bottel pub on the outskirts of Wokingham has been rejected.
The project would have seen a loft conversion create the short-stay rooms at the pub in Barkham Road.
However, the plan was rejected on December 30, 2024, with the council raising concerns about the impact it would have on the countryside.
A previous plan for 13 hotel beds was also rejected by the council last August.
