More trees cut down at Beaufort Park site near Bracknell
Neighbours say trees expected to remain have now been removed between two housing developments in South Road, next to Easthampstead Park Cemetery
More trees have been felled at the Beaufort Park housing site between Bracknell and Crowthorne, with neighbours saying woodland that was meant to stay as a boundary between developments has now been removed.
The Beaufort Park site, off South Road, is split between a 68-home development called The Evergreens by Taylor Wimpey and a neighbouring 226-home site by The Hill Group and Southern Housing. Residents at The Evergreens said they were told a six to eight metre strip of trees would be retained as a buffer, but say this has now also been cut down.
Contractors working for The Hill Group removed the initial row of boundary trees in April. In the latest development, residents say more trees – which were believed to be protected – have now been felled.
“All trees they said were safe are not safe and will come down regardless,” said one resident at The Evergreens, who asked not to be named. “What has been lost is Taylor Wimpey are complicit on this – they didn’t take action until it was too late. When we flag concerns, they are acted on too late. Taylor Wimpey are rolling over and letting them have their way.
“I’ve warned about the safety of the current trees well in advance. The residents are going nuts, all the trees are going to disappear.”
In response, a spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: “Tree safety assessments are being conducted by specialists following neighbouring development work by a third-party developer. Any recommended actions will require full planning permission from Bracknell Forest Council before they can be implemented.
“Replacement planting will be subject to separate council approval and planning requirements. We have submitted proposals and are in discussions with the council in that regard.”
Taylor Wimpey has put forward a landscaping plan to plant 15 new trees and 79 conifers along the southern edge of The Evergreens.
A spokesperson for The Hill Group said: “A number of trees have been felled and further trees are required to be removed as part of our approved planning permission at Beaufort Park. All trees are felled in accordance with plans prepared by a qualified ecologist and are submitted to the planning authority.”
The Evergreens was approved by Bracknell Forest councillors in November 2021. The 226-home development was initially rejected in 2022 but later revised and approved in March 2023.