Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is to write a letter of complaint after the Government's Planning Inspectorate allowed a development in Crowthorne to go ahead which is considered contrary to local planning policies and best practice.

Members of the Council's Planning and Highways Committee took the unprecedented step of agreeing to write to the inspectorate after they had visited the site and were shown pictures of the new building being constructed next to Alpha House in Crowthorne High Street.

The Committee turned down the original planning application in October 2004 on the basis that it was an overdevelopment of the site, was too far forward in the street and out of character with Crowthorne High Street.

However the refusal was overturned by a Government Inspector at appeal in October 2005 and building work on the site has now started.

At the Committee meeting on Thursday, September 21, concerned Crowthorne Councillors said they wanted the Planning Inspectorate to know that what they had permitted is not considered acceptable locally and that they needed to learn by their mistake.

Steve Loudoun, Assistant Director of Environment and Leisure, said: "Committee members decided to write to the planning inspectorate to express their concern for what both they and the officers consider a very poor decision.

"Everyone involved in the planning process takes their responsibilities very seriously and it would be wrong not to draw the concerns and the strong sense of disappointment being felt locally to the attention of the Planning Inspectorate based in Bristol.

"This development represents a lost opportunity, it is far too high and by bringing it so far forward creates a narrowing effect on the High Street and the adjoining footpath that was evident when the application was submitted.

"While the application can not be revoked the Council is determined that this decision will not be allowed to be used as a precedent for the future. The development is not in keeping with the character of the High Street or in accordance with our Local Plan policies. We expect planning decisions to have proper regard to such needs regardless of who makes the decision.

A letter of complaint has been drafted and will be sent to the Government's planning inspectorate this week.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council ~ Crowthorne