Plans by Bracknell Town FC to develop its Larges Lane ground for 126 homes have been emphatically rejected by councillors.
Bracknell Forest Council’s advisory planning committee heard a barrage of criticism of the scheme before rejecting the plans by 11 votes to one with one abstention.
Cllr Tony Virgo criticised the proposals for the 1.16-hectare site for a lack of sufficient parking, solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, adequate drainage and trees.
He was one of a host of members who lamented the scheme which had been reduced from 164 homes.
Cllr Dale Birch said: “I’m aware that it’s an allocated site, I recognise also that it’s a sustainable location, but there my positive comments must end.
“This is an absolute travesty of overdevelopment in an area that’s very sensitive. The height and impact of those buildings are considerable.
I think we’ve turned down less intrusive developments in the past than the quantum of development that is going on on this site.
“Isn’t there a school close by in Larges Lane? Can you imagine what the parking situation is going to be like in that area?
He criticised what he called the ‘piecemeal’ reprovision of Bracknell Town’s football facilities which are spread across Ranelagh School and Sandhurst FC’s SB Stadium.
He added: “This is not, in my view, an adequate reprovision or an acceptable alternative to that particular site.”
The club, which needed to move because of required ground improvements, has just won the South Central division of the Isthmian League. Players were presented with the trophy two days after the Larges Lane planning permission was rejected.
© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive your free weekly Thames Tap journal here.
