The battle over a 975-home mini-town on the borders of Wokingham, Bracknell and Crowthorne will be decided by a Government inspector.

The proposal for hundreds of new homes, community facilities and 100 acres of parkland on the forner Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) site was thrown out by Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s planning committee last Thursday.

But disappointed developer Legal and General has vowed to continue its fight to redevelop the now empty brownfield site in Old Wokingham Road.

Although campaigners against the redevelopment of the former Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) site in Old Wokingham Road breathed a sigh of relief last week, the reprieve is only temporary.

Nick Baker, Legal and General’s fund manager, said: “Legal and General is extremely disappointed by Bracknell council’s approach towards the future of the Crowthorne Business Estate site and by its decision to refuse planning permission for our mixed use scheme.

“The scheme would regenerate a key brownfield site and provide many major benefits to Crowthorne, including much needed affordable housing, 100 acres of parkland, new jobs, improved transport facilities and reduced flood risk to the area.

“We will now appeal against this decision so that the future of this important site will be determined by a Government inspector.”