A large office building in Bracknell town centre could be turned into flats – despite competing plans to demolish the block altogether being left undecided.

Fitzwilliam House on Skimped Hill Lane has sat empty for some years after becoming ‘dated both internally and externally’.

But plans to demolish the building altogether to build a new office building first proposed years ago remain undecided.

In 2020, the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership submitted the proposal to build a new office of almost triple the floorspace and up to seven storeys tall. Bracknell Forest Council says its waiting for the section 106 agreement - a legal agreement between developers and the council - to be completed.

If permitted approval is given for the plans to convert for residential purpose, it will be up for the site owners to decide how they wish to pursue developing the site.

It has been part of the town centre since 1973 and reaches six storeys tall.

While some parts of the building are up to four storeys tall, all six will be turned into flats if the latest plans get given the go-ahead.The site has been home to Bracknell’s job centre and most recently housed NHS Berkshire Healthcare’s head office.

The large building on Skimped Hill Lane is currently under offer to be sold to developers, advertised for £4 million.

Now, plans have been submitted to Bracknell Forest Council to convert the space into 78 flats.

Planning consultants DARA say that the building is in a sustainable location for potential occupants, given it is in the town centre.

It is a short walk away from shops and restaurants in the Lexicon, as well as the Peel centre and Bracknell and Wokingham College.

This would be made up of all one-bedroom apartments, of which 57 will be for one person and 21 will be for a couple.

Potential residents would be able to park at the adjacent Skimped Hill car park, and will also have cycle spaces provided.

In both applications, Bracknell town centre’s regeneration has been highlighted as a reason to approve the development.

The centre will see nearly 1,000 new homes built along with a new market square, shops and commercial office spaces.

It comes as part of Bracknell Forest Council’s long term plan to transform the town centre with new and affordable housing, and to become a business hub of the Thames Valley region.

Bracknell Forest Council has been approached for comment for clarification over the status of the application to demolish the building.