CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new park and ride in between Bracknell and Wokingham are set to be given the green-light despite concerns from residents.

The 254 space park would be added near the London Road/Coppid Beech roundabout if applicants Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) get their way.

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WBC councillors are set to judge the application next week after an authority planning officer recommended the proposal is given the go-ahead.

But dozens of objections have been lodged against the scheme.

Wokingham Town Council’s planning committee chiefs wrote: “The committee could not understand who would benefit from this and who it was aimed at as it seems travelling on existing bus service would be the same.

“It is not clear in the plans the expected use and projected numbers using it. There doesn't seem to be a clear business case for the use of this land and it could be better used as a green space. The local bus service should be improved instead.”

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Ward councillor Rachel Burgess also voiced her opposition.

She added: “While I support the increased provision of sustainable transport options, this scheme does not provide enough environmental gains to justify the loss of natural green space and an area that could be enhanced to the benefit of local residents.”

Another 33 residents threw in their objections, with just three supporting the project.

Bracknell Forest Council, WBC’s neighbours to the east, did not object to the scheme and supported the “potential for increasing sustainable travel patterns and road connectivity improvements from Bracknell to the site.”

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Provided the permission is granted, construction work for the park and ride would begin this winter and could be completed by late 2021.

It would cost a total of £3 million to build and would also include cycle and motorcycle spaces, as well as electric car charging ports.

Of the £3 million, Wokingham Borough Council would only pay £600,000, with the rest of the fee being covered by a government local growth fund.

It comes as part of the Keephatch Gardens development for 300 homes in the area, which was given outline permission in 2015.

In June, WBC transport boss councillor Pauline Jorgensen said: “A new park and ride at Coppid Beech will help us to ease congestion on the A329 London Road in and out of Wokingham town centre.

“It helps give residents in the area more sustainable transport options for travelling into Wokingham or Bracknell thanks to the potential to link up with the already high-quality bus service in the area.”

A final decision is set to be made by WBC’s planning committee on Wednesday, August 12.