By Oliver Sirrell and Tevye Markson

Planning bosses have delayed a vote on controversial plans for twelve new homes in Winkfield despite opposition from dozens of neighbours.

Developers want to demolish the industrial-use buildings at Moat Farm — which includes part of an ancient monument by the medieval moated site at Winkfield Lane — and replace them with detached and terraced houses.

Bracknell Forest Council’s (BFC) Planning Applications committee was due to vote on the proposal last night (Thursday, February 13) but officers deferred a decision till next month’s meeting to allow for further investigation.

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Original plans for the development showed 14 houses could go up at the site but designers scaled-down the proposals in order to “to provide a bespoke development that is in keeping with the surrounding rural character”.

But dozens of neighbours do not share this impression as 42 residents have objected to the plans.

One Winkfield Lane neighbour wrote to Bracknell Forest Council (BFC): “This is far too many houses and not in keeping with the community.

“The additional traffic generated by all these houses will adversely affect the already overused junction on the A330, potentially causing even more accidents.

“There has been no effort made by the developers to address all the issues raised by local residents, reducing this development from 14 to 12 dwellings is insulting.

“A far greater reduction is necessary — four-six would be the amount more suited to the local environment.”

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Winkfield Parish Council has asked for the plans to be refused and other residents who objected voiced their concerns over more noise and light pollution, the site being in the countryside, the development having an “urbanising effect” on the village and more.

Another wrote: “At present, the land is used only from 9am-5pm five-days-a-week.

“Building all these houses will mean cars toing and froing 24/7.

“The destruction to the local habitat and wildlife will, therefore, be huge, especially considering the amount of nighttime lighting which thus far has been absent.”

BFC planning officers have argued that, while the site is in the Green Belt, because there is already a development at the site — a four-by-four car repair business —the proposed development would not have a greater impact on the openness of the countryside.

They also suggest demolition of the existing buildings at the site would not harm the setting of the ancient moated monument.