The council is moving forward with its multi-million-pound regeneration scheme after senior members of the authority voted to approve £4.5m investment into refurbishing Princess Square and developing The Deck.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) will undertake the project with the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership. 

Councillors hailed the proposals at a meeting on Tuesday (February 12) evening.

The move was approved as part of the council’s capital budget for the 2019/2020 year and the regeneration is set to be funded initially through borrowing.

Work on refurbishing Princess Square could begin in Spring this year and the construction of The Deck would start in 2020 after the former Bentalls store is demolished.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, executive member for economic development and regeneration, said: “The council has taken bold decisions never losing sight that this is not our money that we’re investing. This is for residents of Bracknell Forest, it’s their money and their trust that we’re asking for as we develop a bold scheme.

“We’re not afraid of making bold decisions but it has to be balanced against the risks involved. I’m proud of what this scheme will develop.

Cllr Dale Birch, deputy leader of the council, reminded fellow members of the executive that town regeneration plans had originated in 2004 having previously been thrown out by a Secretary of State at the time.

He added: “We began a long fight to regenerate Bracknell town centre and those first phases came to success in 2017 but as far as I’m concerned, that original promise that we made to have a 21st-century town centre is still there.

“This represents the next part of this administration’s commitment to that 21st-century town centre. This is a business strategy that will hopefully secure the viability of our town centre for years to come.”

Councillors also agreed that sites at Market Street, Cooper's Hill and Jubilee Gardens could be included in a possible joint venture with a private sector partner. 

Cllr Peter Heydon, executive member for transformation and finance, said: “The overarching vision is to make a place that suits the needs of residents and businesses including new facilities and affordable housing.

“We’re retaining a lot of ownership through the joint venture, which is absolutely key to our residents as well. They want the town to belong to them.”

The proposals were approved by the executive branch at a meeting on Tuesday, February 12.