Bracknell council new homes consultation extended

A public consultation over plans for 1,600 new homes in Berkshire has been extended.

Four new sites in Crowthorne and Binfield in Bracknell are being considered for new developments between now and 2026.

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

The consultation was due to finish on Friday but has been extended until 17 January 2011.

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.

Revised proposal

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

Bracknell council has said the plans are 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" 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 have been held across the borough during November and December.