Top five stories in Bracknell this week

1. Bracknell Town FC owner’s plans for Bracknell Leisure Centre site

Bracknell Town FC’s director had plans to build a huge new sports complex on the site of Bracknell Leisure Centre, he has revealed.

But the council – which owns the leisure centre – says it wouldn’t have allowed this to go ahead.

Kayne Steinborn-Busse said he had been in talks with Bracknell Forest Council’s previous Conservative leadership about his plans, which he compared to Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.

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2. Bracknell business death rate revealed

Hundreds of businesses in Bracknell Forest shut their doors for good in 2022, new figures show.

It comes as more UK businesses closed since records began in 2002, surpassing the number of new start-ups founded for the first year since 2010.

In his autumn statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a range of tax cuts to aid businesses.

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3. Berkshire Golf Club plans large new reservoir on site

Berkshire Golf Club has plans to build a large new reservoir to irrigate the courses at its site in Ascot.

But Bracknell Forest Council will first need to grant permission – taking into account the fact that the land is covered by rules designed to protect the environment and countryside.

Under the plans, a reservoir with a capacity of more than 23 million litres would be built to the east of the red course's 14th hole.

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4. Silva Homes says it has ‘fallen short’ on Bracknell repairs

Silva Homes has admitted it has “fallen short” in carrying out repairs for residents quickly.

The housing association – which manages former council homes across Bracknell Forest – has come under fire in recent months over reports of residents waiting months for urgent repairs.

Now a statement in its newly-republished annual accounts acknowledges the housing company has often failed to meet its own expectations in carrying out repairs – citing a backlog that built up during the pandemic for the delays.

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5. Bracknell motorcyclists on trial for dangerous driving

FIVE motorcyclists are on trial charged with dangerous driving after their friend died in a crash in Bracknell.

Christopher Burn, Terry Fox, Simon Parsons, John Murdoch, and Neil Woodliffe were charged by police after the crash on July 20, 2021, on the southbound slip road off the A3095.

It is alleged that the group, which had met at a service station in London Road earlier that day, had been driving at dangerously high speeds when Ruth Harrison, a woman in her 30s, lost control of her bike and crossed the central reservation.

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