A 5G mast in Binfield and a chocolate shop in Hurst are in this week’s roundup of planning applications and decisions in Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough.

You can view each one by going to the relevant council’s planning website and searching for the application number provided.

Bracknell Forest: 5G mast in Binfield (23/00303/RTD)

Proposals to install a 5G mast in Binfield have been refused by Bracknell Forest Council planning officers.

WHP Telecoms Limited had applied for permission to build a mast on Forest Road, opposite the Binfield Club. But a council tree officer said the mast and cabinet were too close to a nearby tree.

Planning officers told the firm: “The proposed mast and associated cabinets are not considered acceptable, due to the potential impact of the development on the adjacent trees which contribute to the character of the area and is therefore of high amenity value.”

Bracknell Forest: new junction on Old Wokingham Road (22/00473/FUL)

Developers wanted permission to install a new priority access junction onto Old Wokingham Road, apparently to serve plans for four new houses. But Bracknell Forest Council planning officers refused the application.

Under the proposals, the junction would have been installed between Pinewood Villas and St Michaels Cottages. Plans submitted to the council seemed to show that it would serve a new row of four houses.

But council planning officers said the developers hadn’t shown that a safe access could be installed without damaging trees the wooded area that “contribute to the character of the area.”

Bracknell Forest: Nursing home in Ascot (20/00504/LB and 20/00503/FUL)

Improvement plans have been approved for buildings at St David’s nursing home in Ascot.

Under the plans, parts of the nursing home, which features a listed building, are to be renovated. Some buildings – those with “little architectural merit" – are to be demolished and replaced with new ones.

A design statement said the nursing home needs to be enlarged and updated so that it may “survive and flourish.” It adds: “Many existing rooms are too small, lack an en-suite facility, and have high window sills often with no views of the landscape.”

Wokingham Borough: Chocolate shop in Hurst (232180)

A chocolate shop just off Lodge Road in Hurst will be allowed to carry on operating.

Owners of Chocolates for Chocoholics at Lea Farm applied for retrospective permission to change the approved use of their building from storage to retail.

Planning officers ruled this was okay – but said only chocolate and chocolate-related goods must be sold from the premises.