Councillors in Bracknell convened a virtual meeting to decide on a number of planning applications submitted in the borough.
Although all council meetings are meant to take place in the borough chambers from now on, the committee was allowed to conduct the meeting virtually, as long as the decisions themselves were delegated to planning officers based on their recommendations.
But there were times when the councillors voted against officers recommendations. In these cases, the applications must be decided on at a physical meeting.
The virtual advisory meeting took place on Thursday, June 17.
All the plans below can still be observed by typing their reference numbers in brackets into the council’s planning portal: https://planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/online-applications/
Applications to go to next meeting
US TV studio’s plan to film WW2 series (20/01063/FUL)
The biggest plan discussed at the meeting was a US TV studio’s application to film in Swinley Forest.
It was revealed at the meeting that the studio intends to film a WW2 drama in the forest, with the location serving as a Prisoner of War camp.
The plan involves building 15 temporary buildings in the forest, with 13 of those being contained in a temporary border fence.
READ MORE: WW2 TV series looking likely to film in Swinley Forest
The studio has applied to use the site for one year, after which all structures will be removed.
Because the committee voted by 15 votes to one against the officer’s recommendation, the plan will go to a physical meeting of the committee where it is likely to be approved.
New building in garden for teaching pre-school children and other uses in Bracknell (21/00224/FUL)
Here, the applicant wanted to construct a small building in their garden for their own miscellaneous uses and as a venue for hosting music lessons for pre-school children at 7, Flint Grove, Bracknell.
The music lessons would take place between 11.30am and 12.45pm, with up to two classes being run for 45 minutes, with up to six children per class.
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Planning officer Olivia Jones had recommended it for approval subject to conditions.
However, councillors expressed concerns over increased traffic at the site.
Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard (Conservative) said: “I think the traffic issues are very significant, and I think it will make this whole thing unsustainable. I’m not against enterprise and providing such a service, but it has to be the right location which is both sustainable and deliverable.”
Councillors voted 15 to one to refuse the recommendation, meaning the plan will go to a physical meeting where it is likely to be rejected.
Extension to home in Winkfield Row (21/00262/FUL)
Here, the applicants wanted to build a single storey front extension to their home at Kenrick in Chavey Down Road Winkfield Row.
The extension would have provided a bedroom, kitchenette, living room and wet room for a disabled family member.
Planning officer Alexander Ralph recommended that the plan be approved, however councillors felt the extension was too large and out of keeping with the area.
Cllr Michael Gbadebo (CON) said: “I don’t think this extension is in keeping with anything around it at all.
“I’m a little bit disappointed that the officers actually mentioned that this was for a disabled relative, when in fact that is not a planning consideration, it just makes it an emotional thing, because we cannot un-know this.”
The committee voted unanimously against the recommended approval, meaning the plan must go to a physical planning meeting where it is likely to be rejected.
Applications approved
New three bedroom home in Winkfield Row (20/00714/FUL)
Here the applicants are seeking to build a three bedroom home on land to the rear of Eggleton Cottage and Poplar Cottage in Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row.
A plan from the same applicants had been refused by the committee in 2020.
Changes were made to that plan in an effort to obtain approval.
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A majority of the committee were satisfied with the changes. Cllr Michael Brossard (CON) said: “It’s clear that the case officers worked very closely with the applicant in addressing the concerns we expressed last year. The roof has been lowered, there are no windows that are facing towards the current properties.”
The committee voted by 12 votes to four to allow the head of planning to approved the plan, subject to a S106 legal agreement.
New floor for block of flats near Bracknell football club (21/00077)
1-8 Robins Gate in Bracknell, a block of flats, will getting a new floor built onto it after the committee voted for the committee’s recommendation to approve it.
The plan involves converting former management area into a total of four flats.
Two of those will be one bedroom and two will be two bedroom.
Councillors voted by 13 votes to one against and one abstention to send the application to the head of planning to approved the plan, subject to a S106 legal agreement.
10 new car parking spaces for Bracknell estate (21/00145/3)
The Ullswater estate in Bracknell will be getting 10 new car parking spaces.
Councillors voted unanimously to support the officers recommendation of approval.
The application was sent to the head of planning for approval on the condition that work will not start until a scheme depicting hard and soft landscaping has
been submitted and approved in writing by the planning department.
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