Letter to Adam Afriyie MP
Dear Sir,
As you are no doubt aware the northern arc of Bracknell is coming under considerable threat of development with some 10,950 homes being planned for Bracknell Forest and nearly 8,000 of these planned for the villages of Binfield and Warfield. This would make this area the fourth largest development site in the UK and would destroy the villages.
I understand that you wrote recently to Margaret Foster of the Binfield Village Protection Society sympathising with their concerns and offering to give support. We need that support now and before the new strategic plan is adopted by Bracknell Forest Council. The revised strategy plan is due for publication in September.
The various local action groups fully understand the need for development, however we are not convinced that the numbers being planned are actually required nor that most of these should be built on green field sites. We know that a significant number of new homes, especially low cost homes can be built on brown field sites which are currently available, but the Council is choosing to ignore them. We feel equally strongly that such a large number of new homes are planned in a very small area and not being distributed around the Borough. In short we feel that the existing plan, and from what we understand the proposed plans, are significantly flawed.
BVPS made you aware of a survey that was carried out recently showing the vast majority of the residents are against building so many new homes in the area. There is insufficient infrastructure or services, especially in the villages and we feel that the concerns of the residents are being given scant regard by the Borough Council.
With this in mind we wish to be involved in the decision making process and feel that the Localism Bill is designed specifically for circumstances such as we have at the present time. On behalf of the action groups of NAAG, BVPS and CVAG we would work closely with officers to assist in producing the neighbourhood plans that would best suit our villages and ensure this heritage is protected for our children and future generations.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Rennie Chairman, NAAG Northern Arc Action Group