Everyone will be able to have their say on the new masterplan for Bracknell town centre this spring.
The plan sets out the type of development that could be carried out at several key sites around the town centre over the coming years. It also gives details on the type of design that could be agreed.
The three main sites set out for regeneration in the masterplan, are:
- the Southern Gateway (the bus station and nearby land like Jubilee Gardens)
- the Eastern Gateway (the area around Easthampstead Works)
- High Street car park
The two gateway sites are already earmarked in the newly adopted Local Plan, which sets out where new homes, facilities and amenities could be built in the borough until 2037.
The town centre masterplan takes the Local Plan one step further. It sets out an overview of the council’s vision for the town centre. It also considers the opportunities and constraints of the wider town centre, such as transport, heritage, character, access, landscape, heights, and land uses.
The proposals include:
- housing, with a proportion of affordable and older peoples’ housing
- commercial space for retail and business purposes
- open space with play and youth provision
- car parking
- other uses, for example, a hotel.
It also highlights key routes and links and identifies buildings, such as Easthampstead House, which could be retained and re-used in the redevelopment.
Residents, community groups and other organisations can now have their say on the town centre masterplan through the official consultation, which runs until 20th May.
Two drop-in sessions will also run in the shop next to Starbucks in Princess Square so people can view the plans and speak to the council’s planning and design team to answer any questions. The drop-ins will run on:
- Thursday, 25th April from 10am to 4pm
- Saturday, 27th April from 10am to 4pm
Once adopted, the town centre masterplan will be an important consideration in deciding planning applications on these sites. The plan does not cover land which the council does not own, for example, the land where the former Bentalls department store used to sit. The redevelopment of these sites is the responsibility of the land owner.
Andrew Hunter, executive director of place, said: “The town centre masterplan is a really important document that outlines what type of development could happen at three key sites over the next decade. It sets out what could go on each site in terms of use and amenities, as well as how it could look and feel.
“We want to get the public’s opinion on the regeneration of these sites, so anyone with a view is invited to let us know their thoughts formally through the consultation. If you have questions, you can ask members of our planning team at one of the drop-in sessions later this month. These sites continue the regeneration of the town and build on the success of The Lexicon.”
The consultation will run for six weeks from 8th April to 20th May 2024. All information can be found on the council’s website at: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/town-centre-masterplans. Paper copies of documents can also be viewed at all the borough’s parish council offices and libraries.
Consultation responses will be fully considered and used to inform an updated masterplan, which is due for adoption in summer 2024.
More information about the Local Plan can be found at: Bracknell Forest Local Plan adopted | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)