Bracknell council wants views on where to build homes

A consultation is under way in Bracknell in Berkshire to ask local people where they would like to see 1,600 new homes built.

Four new sites in the borough are being considered for new neighbourhoods between now and 2026, the council said.

A consultation on the plans for four sites in Binfield and Crowthorne began last week and runs until 17 December.

The proposal has caused anger in Crowthorne, where residents said they would see a 60% increase in homes.

Campaigners said with both Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough Councils planning to build new homes in Crowthorne their village of about 5,500 homes would grow by another 3,500.

Fewer homes

They said its infrastructure would not be able to cope with such a large increase and it would change its character from a village one to "an urban sprawl".

However Bracknell council said the plans were for "a number of smaller housing sites" in four areas: Broadmoor in Crowthorne; the former TRL site in Crowthorne; land north of Amen Corner in Binfield and land at Blue Mountain golf course in Binfield.

It said the "preferred option" draft plan was a revised proposal with 2,000 fewer homes than in the original one, following the government's decision to revoke the South East Plan.

Four areas which were in the original plan; south west Sandhurst; north Warfield; Chavey Down/Longhill Road and east Bracknell, have been removed.

The council also plans to build new schools and create more public green space areas.

Several exhibitions are being held across the borough during November and December.