The site is located within the jurisdiction of Bracknell Forest Borough Council. The site is not located in a Conservation Area and there are no tree preservation orders on site (TPOs). The Property is not locally or heritage listed however it is located adjacent to a Grade II listed hospital complex and within a Historic Park and Garden. The principle of redevelopment within the Historic Park and Garden has already been established by way of the Site Allocation Local Plan which specifically addresses residential redevelopment of this site. In addition the disposal of a surplus site known as School Hill (200 metres immediately to the south of the subject site and also within the Historic Park and Garden) in 2012 delivered 18 residential units. Although there are no TPOs the woodland which surrounds the site is deemed to form part of the character of the area. The site is located within Crowthorne Area D (East Crowthorne) of the Character Area Assessments SPD which states that the East of Crowthorne is defined by a series of parallel streets overlaid by an undulating topography.

In July 2013, Bracknell Forest adopted its Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP) which allocated the site for 145 dwellings. Please note that Bracknell Forest require height and massing to increase across the site with the highest density where the current staff accommodation block is located up to a maximum of four storeys.

Please note that most of the site, except the southwest part, is within a 200m buffer of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Development proposals of the site will need to have regard to the biodiversity assets across the site and also not result in harm to the Sandhurst to Owlsmoor Bog and Heaths as well as the Broadmoor to Bagshot Woods and Heaths SSSIs.

The northern part of the site (hatched pink on the site plan) is located within 400m of the  hames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) where there is a presumption against new residential development. The remainder of the site is located within 5,000m of the SPA and a developer will be required to provide a bespoke SANG to mitigate the impact the development on the SPA. The Trust owns approximately 350 acres of land within the immediate vicinity and therefore will work with the selected developer to provide the land that is required to physically provide appropriately sized mitigation for the housing scheme on site. The Trust has already identified a parcel of land to the south east of the site which would be capable of providing appropriate mitigation in accordance with Bracknell Forest Council’s policy. Natural England have indicated by way of response to chargeable consultation. that a portion of this area can be offeredand have agreed the Trust proposal is acceptable. It is envisaged that the playing fields will also be relocated adjacent to the new SANG which contains the required circular walk. In both instances the Trust will provide the land to mitigate both the SANG requirement and relocation of the playing fields on a like for like basis.

Work will be required to enhance the quality of the site as a recreational resource, which will
involve enhancing the biodiversity value of the area. This will include the provision of signage (directing people from Cricket Field Grove to the SANG and on the SANG), fencing, interpretation boards, seats and bins. The woodland and grassland will also need to be managed through cutting and planting. An existing informal access to Wildmoor Heath, part of the SPA, may also need to be closed as the position of the SANG could draw people closer to the SPA.

There will be requirement for financial contributions linked to the SANG and the development will be required to pay a contribution towards Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) measures in order to manage and monitor visitors on the SPA. This will be the responsibility of the Developer.