News

Plans for parking charges at Look Out to be decided tonight

By Hugh Fort
September 04, 2012

Controversial plans to introduce parking charges for a popular attraction should be decided this evening.

Bracknell Forest Council has added a late item to the agenda of its executive meeting tonight and is proposing giving the go-ahead to plans to introduce charges to park at the Look Out Discovery Centre in Nine Mile Ride.

The council has been waiting for a response from Natural England to its plans before making the decision.

The authority is proposing pressing ahead with introducing the charges despite Natural England stating in its response it does not agree with the plan.

The council has stated in its own report it does not believe introducing charges will have an adverse affect on the Special Protection Area (SPA) surrounding the Thames Basin Heaths, home to a number of species of rare birds, which is close to the centre.

But Natural England disagrees and feels people may stop coming to the centre, which could lead to problems with people going to other parts of the SPA.

The council's officers propose "noting" the response of Natural England but pressing ahead with introducing the charges later this month and continuing discussions over the disagreement.

The meeting is held at the council's offices in Easthampstead House at 5pm.

Opposition to Look Out Parking Charge Plans

What do you think of the council's plans? Please leave your comments below.

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Most recent user comments 6 of 6

It's annoying for the mountain bikers also. I already pay £50.00 a year for permits for two of us to be able to cycle around the forest. Yes I know that most of this goes towards public liability insurance and the upkeep of the forest, but why can someone who visits the exhibition centre get a refund and mountain bikers cannot.

I also agree with Tom and they must have pay on exit machines.

Scotty12
09/10/2012 at 09:33

...not forgetting that there is a £2 per day charge for Bikes in the Forest if you are over 16 (or £25 per year).

So....Park for free at Crowthorne (Off the roundabout which joins the Crowthorne-Bracknell Road to Lower Wokingham Road) and Cycle to the Look Out through Swinley Forest, it's only three miles, you can reward yourself with a Coffee and Cake on arrival and the kids will be worn out by the time you get back. Don't forget the bike Permit though for Swinley Forest (https://sslrelay.com/www.mbsawebsite.com/sess/utn155047510db079a/shopdata/index.shopscript)

Timothy Jefferies
05/09/2012 at 14:20

If we are going to pay for parking at the Look Out can we also expect an increase in the security at this site which currently is target for those who break into cars?

PoneRana, Wokingham
05/09/2012 at 13:05

I for one will not be paying to visit a boring load of conifers disected by straight paths with no views whatsoever.

Tobias
04/09/2012 at 13:48

I say close the whole place down and turn into an interment camp for local dignitaries and politicians. Then let the borough's kids loose at BFC Headquarters to play.

Maddie V, Bracknell
04/09/2012 at 11:07

If the money is reinvested in the Car Parks at the Look Out or to fund improvements to the dreadful cafe that really lets down the whole building, then i sadly have to accept that its the sign of the times. the Look Out is fantastic. Its a shame that the £2 is only refunded if you go into the Exhibition Area, if they refunded it on spend in the dreadful cafe - say £2 refunded onj spend of £5 or £10, that would be much better

I just hope they dont go for Pay and Display and go for "Pay on Exit" - if they go for Pay and Display most people will simple ignore it! and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure the machines takes cards!