The Bracknell Forest Council Planning Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 11 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications, including proposals for a McDonald's restaurant, residential developments, and window replacements. Councillors were also scheduled to review the minutes from their previous meeting.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider several planning applications, with public speaking allowed on some of the applications.

McDonalds, Wildridings Road

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for McDonald's on Wildridings Road. The proposal included a reconfiguration of the drive-thru lane and car park to allow side-by-side ordering, a reconfiguration of the existing egress to provide access/egress, with the closure of the existing access, extensions of the restaurant for additional storage, operational areas and an additional collection point with new HVAC¹ equipment, off-site planting and associated works to the site.

The Assistant Director: Planning recommended that planning permission be refused, citing concerns over highway safety and the impact on protected trees. According to the officer's report, the applicant had failed to provide up-to-date data on the operation of the site, and the proposed reconfiguration could increase the interaction between drive-thru traffic and traffic associated with dining in the restaurant, potentially leading to safety issues. The officer's report also stated that the proposal would result in the removal of protected trees, contrary to policy LP 54 of the Bracknell Forest Local Plan and EV4 of the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan.

Councillor Bidwell requested the application be thoroughly debated, considering existing traffic congestion, the economic benefits and the need to minimise tree loss.

The Evergreens, Beaufort Park

The committee was scheduled to consider a Section 73 application relating to The Evergreens, Beaufort Park. The application sought to vary condition 01 (Approved Plans) to Reserved Matters approval 21/00104/REM, relating to scale, layout, appearance and landscaping for 68 dwellings. The Section 73 application sought to regularise floorplans relating to 14 homes, resulting in the creation of an additional room within each house.

The Assistant Director: Planning recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a deed of variation to the existing Section 106 agreement² and conditions.

Beaufort Park

The committee was scheduled to discuss details pursuant to condition 10 (Arboricultural Method Statement detailing the scheme for protection of the retained trees) of planning permission 23/00767/FUL for Beaufort Park. The Tree Officer was satisfied that the details were acceptable to protect retained trees during the construction period.

The Assistant Director: Planning recommended that the details submitted pursuant to condition 10 of planning permission 23/00767/FUL be approved.

Athol Villa and Woodside, Westbourne Road, College Town Road

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for Athol Villa and Woodside, Westbourne Road, College Town Road. The proposal was for the erection of four 2-bedroom dwellings following demolition of two existing dwellings and outbuildings with associated access, parking and landscaping.

The Assistant Director: Planning recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions.

The Court House, Broadway

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for The Court House, Broadway. The proposal was for the replacement of single glazed windows with uPVC double glazed windows.

The Assistant Director: Planning recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Minutes

The committee was scheduled to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 2025.