What Bracknell will look like in 2034 as 2000 homes are on the way

Development will particularly be focused in the town centre, with further housing schemes emerging on the outskirts of Bracknell.

In its prediction, ChatGPT,  a free-to-use AI system which obtains information from online sources, guessed: "Bracknell could witness ongoing urban development in 2034.

"This might involve the construction of new residential areas, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities. The town's skyline might evolve with the addition of new buildings and infrastructure projects."

CGIs created by AI image generator Pixlr show the town centre bustling, with people enjoying evening food and drinks, nearby new apartments.

An AI generated image of what The Deck project at The Lexicon in Bracknell could look like in 10 years, in 2034. (Image: Pixlr.com AI - original image Piper Whitlock)

The images took inspiration from concept art of The Deck project which has faced numerous delays and was ultimately scrapped according to a report last year.

Furthermore, hopes that the area could be opened up as a temporary market have been dashed as the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership has stated the cost of making the site safe made temporary use for food stalls and pop-up entertainment 'unviable'.

But The Deck could yet be a large and bustling extension to The Lexicon in the next 10 years.

However, Bracknell Forest Council appears to be moving away from The Deck, as the council held a consultation on its vision for the town centre up to 2032.

The vision opens the possibility of yet more apartments being added to the town centre. 

READ MORE: Huge plans could change the face of Bracknell town centre

According to the adopted Local Plan, up to 600 homes can be built in a 'southern gateway' development near the station, and up to 210 homes can be built for an 'eastern gateway' development to replace Easthampstead House and the Library.

Meanwhile, the High Street car park closed in October 2023 would also be replaced with an unspecified number of homes.

But it's at The Peel Centre and The Point where changes could be most radical.

The Local Plan has earmarked up to 900 homes for the retail park, which is well-used by drivers.

CGIs from Pixlr show the car park element completely replaced with a landscaped area busy with pedestrians going about their business, with cafes, shops and apartment buildings in the background.

An AI image of what The Point and The Peel Centre in Bracknell could look like in 2034, where 900 homes are planned. (Image: Pixlr.com AI - original image Google Maps)

However, there is cause to be sceptical of the transformation of the retail park away from car use.

According to fashion news magazine Drapers, retail parks are seeing a resurgence thanks to their convenient locations, greater space and ability to 'synergise'  with online shopping by facilitating returns and click and collect.

Almost all units of The Peel Centre are full, with only one vacant unit being left by Sports Direct, which relocated to Princess Square in October 2022.

An AI image of what The Point and The Peel Centre in Bracknell could look like in 2034, where 900 homes are planned. (Image: Pixlr.com AI - original image Google Maps)

The Next clothes store made way for discount store Home Bargains which opened in February of that year.

Elsewhere in Bracknell, huge residential towers are either open for residents or are on the verge of being completed.

Royal Winchester House was completed in 2022, providing 338 luxury apartments with a mixture of one and two bedrooms.

The Pixlr image generator envisages busy scenes at the foot of the towers.

A CGI image of Royal Winchester House, the tallest building in Bracknell containing hundreds of apartments. This is what it could look like in 2034. (Image: Pixlr.com AI - original image Comer Homes)

There were hopes that the area could possibly become the new venue for the Bracknell Market, which currently runs on Fridays and Saturdays outside Princess Square.

Back in 2021, market operators Hughmark stated that they will remain at Princess Square for the foreseeable future.

But that may not be the case forever, with Pixlr showing people using the forecourt at the foot of the tower as a gathering place enhanced with new trees.

A CGI image of Royal Winchester House, the tallest building in Bracknell containing hundreds of apartments. This is what it could look like in 2034. (Image: Pixlr.com AI - original image Comer Homes)

Royal Winchester House itself is reimagined with a new exterior and possible extensions to the building to create even more places to live.

However, the images generated are ultimately similar to those created during the design stage by Comer Homes several years ago.

Another tower complex that is ready to occupy is The Grand Exchange in Market Street, made up of 242 one and two-bed apartments, with prices from £300,000.

Also on Market Street, the Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership is making progress on its 169 flats project, of which 81 will be designated affordable.

Further afield, a total of 294 homes are set for Beaufort Park, the site of a folly office building that was never occupied and is now demolished.

There is also a scheme for up to 100 homes as an extension to Jennets Park, and further plans for homes just over the council boundary leading to fears that Bracknell and Wokingham will be linked.

So in 10 years time, Bracknell is expected to expand into nearby countryside, with an already bustling town centre enhanced by the economic activity of hundreds of new residents, despite the gap left by The Deck project.