“I THINK this is very, very exciting for Bracknell Forest and for Bracknell itself” -- that’s the message from one councillor as the borough’s latest regeneration plans were approved.
Bracknell Forest Council’s executive nodded through three big regeneration decisions which will set up how the town and the borough are shaped for years to come.
The key plans given their blessing were:
- The development plan for Coopers Hill, which will be bulldozed to make way for 50 new homes
- Acknowledgement of the incorporation of Bracknell Forest Limited Liability Partnership, a Joint Venture between the council and developers Countryside which will oversee the town’s next regeneration steps
- The approval of the Joint Venture business plan for the LLP, which sets out how regeneration opportunities might take shape in years to come.
EXPLAINED: What Bracknell's new regeneration partnership means for the town
Councillor Peter Heydon, who will sit on the board of the LLP, explained what these moves mean for the borough and for the council.
He said: “This means we as a council are maintaining a real grip in terms of the development of Bracknell in the future.
(Coopers Hill)
“It is particularly important because it is the tangible start of the JV which is going to shape Bracknell town in the future.”
The first three sites identified by the Joint Venture for redevelopment are Coopers Hill, Jubilee Gardens and Market Street.
It is hoped around 400 new homes will be built across these three sites, as well as new leisure, employment and retail space, with work on Coopers Hill starting first.
READ MORE: Bracknell town centre regeneration vision and plans unveiled
Councillor Dr Gareth Barnard said: “I think this is very very exciting for Bracknell Forest and for Bracknell itself.
“We’ve seen over the last few years what we’ve been able to deliver in our town centre having been the first new town to comprehensively redevelop its town centre offering.
(Market Street)
“I think what this joint venture offers is a chance for us to keep a real control and an understanding of how we wish to see the wider Bracknell and places across the whole borough develop.
“The Coopers Hill site is really important to this because it’s a large site near the town centre which offers challenges, but at the same time opportunities for sustainability.
READ MORE: Regeneration developers ask for more money to complete new Bracknell town works
“I think this is a good way to go forward. Having seen examples of what Countryside deliver when in partnership, I’m really excited about what this means for the future of Bracknell Forest and Bracknell town.
(Jubilee Gardens)
“We are the borough of opportunity and this gives us a chance to put in place 21st-century infrastructure which complements what we’ve done so far with plenty more to come.”
The regeneration plans will be discussed and voted on at a meeting of all Bracknell Forest councillors next month.
The executive met on Tuesday, November 10.
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