Executive discuss progress of new homes regeneration project

The council’s Executive yesterday heard how a project to regenerate key sites in Bracknell town centre is creating new, affordable and eco-friendly homes.

The property joint venture between Bracknell Forest and Countryside Properties (called the Cambium Partnership) was formed in December 2020. It aims to redevelop underused or derelict sites around the town centre. 

At its meeting on Tuesday 19 March, the Executive heard how significant progress had been made in the past year on 3 sites including: 

• construction at Coopers Hill of 52 eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes - a number of these have been purchased already and 25% are designated as affordable homes, to be managed by Silva Homes
• major groundwork at Market Street being completed ahead of full construction - this site will provide 169 eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes with 48% designated as affordable (shared ownership: 29 homes and social rent: 52 homes) 
• an initial site development plan being agreed for surplus land at the council’s old depot site (Old Bracknell Lane West) - the ambition is for all homes on the site to be affordable, subject to viability

The regeneration of these sites forms part of the ambition to overhaul Bracknell town centre in phases. It also helps to improve economic viability and provide safe, affordable and sustainable places for local people to live. 

Cllr Paul Bidwell, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: 

“Building sustainable and resilient communities is really important and these 3 regeneration projects will help to create sustainable and affordable homes for many Bracknell Forest residents. 

“I’m pleased to see that with each new site more and more affordable homes, either shared ownership or social rent, are being added. We agreed last summer that, if possible, the whole of the new depot site in Old Bracknell Lane West will be affordable homes, this is great news for local people.  

“While creating new, affordable and eco-friendly homes is imperative, regenerating disused and derelict brownfield sites around the town centre has many more benefits. It helps to enhance our community and make the borough attractive to businesses – securing more local employment opportunities and jobs.”