Bracknell

By Vicky Huntley ~ icBerkshire ~ Oct 25 2005

BULLBROOK neighbours are up in arms at plans to build a six-storey blocks of flats near their homes.

Thames Valley Housing Association wants to build 56 one and two-bedroom flats in a split level block ranging from three to six storeys.

The developments would replace a public car park and open land between Bay Road and London Road.

But Elaine Hathaway of Radnor Road wrote to borough planners saying Holly Spring Infant and Junior schoolchildren's lives could be put at risk.

She said: "The development is absolutely ridiculous. If this car park is closed where are the parents of the schoolchildren supposed to park at the end of school?"

She added: "Parents with cars will start parking by the crossing and making it really dangerous for the children."

Residents fear flats would overlook their homes and that they will lose open space at the back of houses on Bay Road.

At a residents' meeting to discuss the plans at Bullbrook community centre, Frank Naper of Bay Road said: "I thought government policy was to knock down blocks of flats but now they want build them here."

Another resident added wryly: "I can just see us having picnics on the round about and spending Sunday afternoons there."

Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay said he had written to the borough environment director Vincent Paliczka to oppose the scheme.

He added: "It is unacceptable to have three to six-storey buildings of flats in a quiet residential area and some residents nearby will have their homes ruined.

"There is also a serious traffic problem in this area with the school, shops and community centre which should lead to the application being turned down."

Bullbrook ward councillor Michael Sargeant said: "I think there is a good chance we can make a case for it to be turned down locally."

Thames Valley Housing Association spokeswoman Miranda Jollie said: "Bracknell's high house prices make it increasingly difficult for local people to find an affordable home in the town.

"Thames Valley Housing Association's proposed development has been designed by an architect with extensive experience of similar locations including a number of schemes in Bracknell.

"It includes homes for rent and for sale on a part-rent/part-buy basis, with four of the homes specially adapted for wheelchair users.

"If approved, we believe it will make a valuable contribution to helping local people who could not otherwise afford a home.

"We have carried out a very detailed traffic impact assessment. This concludes that the new development will have little or no effect on the wider road network and the traffic calming measures already in place in Bay Road and Lily Hill Road are adequate to protect the safety of children and other vulnerable people in the immediate locality."

Details of the application can be seen at www.ukplanning.com or visit Bracknell Forest Borough Council's planning department at Time Square, Market Street. Quote planning application number 05/00916/FUL.