A masterplan that could change the face of Bracknell town centre is set to be approved by Bracknell Forest Council next week.

Ambitions for nearly 1,000 new homes along with new office spaces, community facilities and outdoor children’s play areas are being proposed to make the centre more ‘vibrant and welcoming’.

The Cabinet (formerly known as the executive) will be deciding on the major proposal which will develop three key areas in the town centre at an upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 15.

It comes as the Council’s latest in a long-term scheme of regeneration, which began with the opening of the Lexicon shopping hub in 2017.

The first area up for decision is known as the Southern Gateway Development Area, covering the current bus station, land north of Market Street and Church Road, and south of Station Road and The Ring.

A proposed 600 homes could be built on this land, which would require the demolition of the bus station – an idea that has proved unpopular with residents.

The homes would be made up of apartments, town houses and accommodation for elderly people.

Office spaces, community space, shops and cafes, children’s play areas would be built in a new ‘market square’ for the town, and a new bus system would be implemented before the current station is removed.

Bus stops along Station Way and Market Street will be introduced, with the same amenities currently provided by the bus station, the council says.

The second area is known as the Eastern Gateway Development, which is located on land south of Millennium Way and west of the Met Office Roundabout.

It also includes Bracknell Central Library, the former council offices at Easthampstead Square and Town Square.

Here, 210 homes are being proposed, as well as more office spaces, car parking, a new library and play areas.

Finally, Bracknell Forest Council would like to replace the High Street car park, currently closed, with 142 homes.

The three areas taken together total 952 homes.

Both the Southern and Eastern gateway areas would be made up of 35 per cent affordable housing, meaning it would cost 20 per cent below the market average.

Bracknell Forest Council says that developing the sites will make the town centre feel ‘vibrant and welcoming’.

Easthampstead House, which used to house the council’s offices, could also be refurbished.

More than 150 public comments were made on the masterplan during the council’s consultation period, with the highest number of objections concerning plans to demolish the bus station.

The council has assured that all functions of the existing hub will be retained, including driver facilities, seating and shelters.

Set for approval by the Cabinet, the next stage will be for developers to submit plans for each location, which would then be subject to the planning process.