Anger and apprehension erupted at a planning committee meeting on Thursday as residents and wildlife campaigners criticised detailed proposals to build 40 homes on a stretch of green space behind Carnation Hall, off Chavey Down Road in Winkfield Row.
Councillors constrained by local plan allocation
Members of Bracknell Forest Council were reminded that the site is already allocated for development in the borough’s local plan, a factor that limited their ability to refuse the scheme in principle. That constraint shifted the committee’s focus towards technical matters such as sewer connections and the scale of an unpopular block of flats.
Nonetheless, disagreement over ecological evidence and proposed mitigation remained central to the dispute. Neighbours argued new material showing regular wildlife activity had not been properly considered and warned the council risked a judicial review if it proceeded without further investigation.
Wildlife concerns and contested surveys
Local campaigner Avril Haubrich, speaking for residents, said she regularly observes foxes, deer, badgers and hedgehogs crossing the land and submitted photographic evidence indicating established wildlife routes. She criticised the ecological assessment carried out for the scheme and took particular issue with proposed mitigation measures – including so-called "badger doors" – which she said would fragment habitats and impede hedgehog movement.
“You are being asked to vote blind—on an incomplete, inaccurate and legally flawed record. Proceeding tonight puts the council at risk of a judicial review.”
Ms Haubrich also cited the Environment Act 2021, arguing biodiversity obligations must be integrated across all planning stages and asserting that the site functions as a wildlife corridor rather than low-value land. She claimed hedgehogs had been omitted from reports, that badger activity had been understated and that objections from the Badger Society were not reflected in the documentation.
What the council officers said
Planning officers told councillors that ecological matters had been addressed at the outline planning stage and that their remit at the committee was to consider the detailed aspects of the reserved matters application. That placed the decision-making emphasis on design, drainage and the height of the proposed apartment block.
- Site: Land behind Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row
- Proposal: 40 new homes (reserved matters on an allocated site)
- Main disputes: biodiversity evidence, habitat fragmentation, sewer and building height
The dispute highlights a common tension in local planning: the difference between a site’s allocation in a development plan and the detailed environmental analysis required at later stages. Residents maintain that fresh ecological evidence should prompt further assessment; officers contend that the principle of development has already been established.
| Issue | Position |
|---|---|
| Allocation in local plan | Site already earmarked for development |
| Biodiversity | Residents say new evidence; officers say addressed at outline stage |
| Mitigation | Residents say measures fragment habitat; officers rely on standard mitigation |
The meeting concluded with councillors tasked with weighing the technical details before them. Any decision to approve could prompt immediate further action from residents who have signalled they are prepared to take legal steps to challenge the process. Those living nearby will be watching closely for the committee’s formal decision and any subsequent legal developments.
