Purpose

To approve the release of £60,000 of Section 106 funding to provide a new permissive bridleway at Priory Field. To be delivered as part of the associated works at the new Warfield Community Hub.

Decision

RESOLVED that Bracknell Forest Council to allocate £60,000 of s106 funding from Land north of Watersplash Lane, Warfield (Millgate), planning reference 16/01274/FUL, YN654, to support delivery of the Priory Field permissive bridleway.

The project will be delivered by Bracknell Forest Council under a Cabinet approved Procurement Plan and according to the terms of the s106 legal agreement.

Reasons for the decision

The permissive bridleway will deliver a planned access route linking Newell Green and Old Priory Lane, with onward connectivity via the planned Pegasus crossing at Larks Hill. It will improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders and support the wider Warfield Community Hub scheme. The scheme represents an appropriate use of s106 funding because it directly mitigates development impacts by improving local open space and access infrastructure within Warfield parish. The contribution is suitable for use on Priory Fields and related greenway and equestrian links, as identified within the relevant s106 agreement for Land north of Watersplash Lane, Warfield. Refer to annex 2 for an overview of the S106 allocation details. Horse riding is an important form of outdoor physical activity that delivers significant health and wellbeing benefits for people of all ages and abilities. Riding improves balance, coordination, core strength and fitness, while supporting mental health through contact with nature and opportunities for social interaction. Access to safe, off road routes encourages participation and enables more people to enjoy the countryside on horseback. The provision of a permissive bridleway will help broaden opportunities for active recreation and support healthier communities. The project supports the National Planning Policy Framework objective that access to high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and wellbeing of communities and can deliver wider benefits for nature and climate change. ‘8. Promoting healthy and safe communities 103. Access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities, and can deliver wider benefits for nature and support efforts to address climate change…’ The proposal also supports Council Plan 2023-2027 priorities, the Bracknell Forest Local Plan, the RoWIP, and the long-standing Warfield SPD aspiration for improved east-west access links.

Alternative options considered

To not deliver the route would miss an opportunity to provide a key access link within the Warfield Community Hub project and would reduce the benefits of the strategic east-west Greenway. A single east-west route was previously considered between the community hub and sports pitches, however, due to the level of activity, this was not considered suitable for horses. The proposed approach provides an alternative route around the football pitches, that can be used by horses, improving safety and usability.