Housing campaigners say ‘we’ve not been listened to’

Members of the Northern Arc Action Group (NAAG), encompassing people living in Binfield, Warfield, and Winkfield, are furious Bracknell Forest Council has carried out a lengthy consultation into its plans yet has made very few changes.

The final say on the plans will rest with a Government inspector.

The proposals have even divided the council, with Councillor Gareth Barnard, executive member for children’s services, refusing to vote on the plan.

Residents fear large-scale housing development will erode the greep gaps between parishes and lead to traffic chaos around Bracknell Forest.

Nearly 800 people responded to the consultation, which was criticised for its heavy jargon, but the council has pressed ahead with its plans.

The key issues for residents are plans for 400 homes on The Blue Mountain Golf Course in Wood Lane, Binfield, 400 homes on land in Amen Corner in Binfield, 2,200 homes in Warfield and 1.000 homes on the old Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) site in Crowthorne.

Nigel Rennie, chairman of NAAG, said: “I’ve looked at the document and I’m very disappointed, but not surprised.

“It’s the same as before the consultation.”

Carole Doran, from Crowthorne, said: “It’s good to know they haven’t listened to a word we’ve said after all the time it took to fill in the consultation.”

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/2103597_housing_campaigners_say_weve_not_been_listened_to