The Windsor and Ascot Development Management Committee met on Thursday 4 September 2025 to consider several planning applications, including a retrospective application for mobile homes on Green Belt land, and a proposal for an annual ice rink in Alexandra Gardens. The committee was also scheduled to note a report on planning appeals received and planning decisions.

Major Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to discuss the following major planning applications:

Crown Farm, Eton Wick Road

An application for the use of land at Crown Farm, Eton Wick Road, Eton Wick, for the siting of up to 35 mobile homes for human habitation was on the agenda. The applicant was named in the report pack as Mr Fred Sines. The report pack noted that work had already commenced on the development, with hardstanding laid and some static caravans brought onto the site.

The planning officer's report recommended that the committee refuse planning permission for several reasons, including that the site is within the Green Belt and that the proposal does not fall under any of the exceptions to inappropriate development. The report also stated that the site is in flood zone 3 and that the application had not been accompanied by a flood risk assessment or sequential test. Furthermore, the report noted the lack of an ecological assessment and the failure to demonstrate how a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) could be achieved.

The report pack stated that the scheme would provide up to 35 homes, which would contribute to the council's current 5-year housing land supply shortfall, and that this benefit was given significant positive weight. However, the report also stated that the scheme fails to comply with national planning policy and that a case of Very Special Circumstances does not exist to justify this inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

The report pack also stated:

The so called 'tilted balance' would not be engaged in this case, as there is a strong reason to refuse the development on grounds of Green Belt, and flood risk grounds (under paragraph 11d(i), footnote 7) of the NPPF). A horizontal planning balance is applied to reach a recommendation. However, if the 'tilted balance' were to be used, the outcome would be unchanged as the adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh any and all benefits including the provision of housing to meet the current shortfall.

Alexandra Gardens, Windsor

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the construction of an ice rink and attractions annually from October 2025, 2026, 2027 to January 2026, 2027 and 2028 at Alexandra Gardens, Windsor. The applicant was named in the report pack as Mr Coleman.

The planning officer's report recommended that the committee authorises the Assistant Director of Planning to grant planning permission subject to details being submitted and approved in writing with regard to climate change, protected species, a construction environmental management plan, a landscape environmental management plan, biodiversity enhancements, the external lighting scheme, a biodiversity net gain plan, and an arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan.

The report pack noted that the development amounts to less than substantial harm to the settings of the Grade I Windsor Castle and Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area. It also stated that the impact of the development with regard to climate change, upon protected species and priority habitats, and trees has not been resolved, and that the application does not demonstrate a net gain in biodiversity.

The report pack stated:

Only through submission of additional information, as secured through condition, would the benefit of the proposal outweigh the identified harms.

Land Bounded By Ascot Fire Station, Station Hill And West of Hermitage Parade And South of High Street, Ascot

This application for the redevelopment of land in Ascot was withdrawn from the agenda. The application had been for the redevelopment of an existing site to provide 1,775m2 of commercial and community floorspace (mix of uses within Use Classes E¹, F1² and F2³) and 101 dwellings with associated parking, access, open space, landscaping and other associated works, new pedestrian and cycle paths and children's play area. The applicant was named in the report pack as London Square Developments Ltd.

Other Matters

Sunninghill Road, Sunninghill, Ascot

The committee was also scheduled to discuss an application for a dropped kerb, hardstanding and new timber sleeper retaining wall at 4 Sunninghill Road, Sunninghill, Ascot. The applicants were named in the report pack as Mr And Mrs Gosling. The planning officer's report recommended that the committee refuse planning permission, stating that the proposal would increase the number of points of access onto a classified road, reducing its efficiency and the free flow of traffic, and that the application fails to demonstrate that there would be sufficient space for vehicles to turn safely within the site and exit in forward gear, and that sufficient visibility splays would be achieved. The report also stated that the proposal would result in the loss of several trees protected under a Tree Preservation Order.

Planning Appeals

The committee was scheduled to note the contents of a report on planning appeals received and planning decisions made between 21 June 2025 and 27 August 2025.