Bracknell

Members of the public are being urged to have their say on how they want Bracknell Forest to grow in the next 20 years.

Bracknell Borough council planners have consulted neighbours and developers on where they would like future expansion to be, not just for housing but also roads, schools, doctors' surgeries and other essential services.

The Bracknell council's ruling executive rubber-stamped two important documents of the borough's Local Development Framework (LDF) on December 20.

Around 130 Bracknell sites for potential development were identified during an autumn consultation with residents and developers.

The council also received 2,000 replies to questionnaires and held a series of 'meet the planners' roadshows.
As a result two sites have been identified for future development - Amen Corner near Binfield and land to the north of Whitegrove/Quelm Park.

Head of Bracknell planning and transport policy Bev Hindle said: "People tend not to like change. We have had to take heed of what the public has told us.

"One is that they are not happy about more housing allocation but there seems to be an acceptance that it's not in our power to decide.

"They realise how homes could benefit their communities and the whole of Bracknell Forest and how they could provide homes for their children and homes their children can afford."

Mr Hindle said it was about Bracknell planning communities for future generations and not having piecemeal development.

Because 3,000 homes are earmarked for the RAF Staff College site Peacock Farm, Peacock Lane, Bracknell and the new Bracknell town centre, planners say no new development will be needed outside urban areas until 2016.

Future development areas are constrained by a large Green Belt area and flood plains in the north of the borough and the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area in the south. This could affect future development because it contains three rare birds.

The LDF could potentially conflict with the South East plan if the deputy prime minister rejects SEERA's housing recommendations.

But planning leader Bracknell Cllr Mary Ballin said the LDF would act as an important defence if the government tried to foist more houses on the borough.

During the executive meeting she said: "This is a war with government. They want to impose huge numbers of houses on us, make no mistake.

"Our residents will keep fighting and they will hope we win."

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell