A legal agreement has just been signed to secure the creation of 81 affordable and environmentally friendly homes in Bracknell town centre.
The Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership (a joint venture between Bracknell Forest Council and Countryside Partnerships) will create 169 new homes on the derelict site of the old bus station in Market Street in the coming months.
Last week, an agreement was signed between The Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership and Abri to provide 81 affordable homes on the site for local people. This is 48% of all the homes being built. Of those homes, 29 homes will be shared ownership and 52 homes will be social rent.
All the homes will be environmentally friendly and will include features such as:
- solar panels
- EV charging points
- AAA-rated appliances in all homes
- low-carbon energy usage
- 309 secure cycle spaces
The legal agreement follows a groundbreaking ceremony on 30 November, marking the official start of construction.
As part of the construction work, a new cycle route and improved pavements will also be created along Market Street to encourage residents and their visitors to travel sustainably.
Commercial space will also be created as part of the project and new landscaping and trees will also be added.
In a bid to further increase sustainable travel options, spaces will be created for car club vehicles.
Market Street is the second site to be developed by The Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership. Coopers Hill was the first site to be redeveloped with construction starting at the end of 2022 and the first residents moving in in December 2023.
Both sites are key in realising the council’s ambition to completely regenerate Bracknell town centre in phases.
Cllr Paul Bidwell, executive member for economic development and regeneration, said:
“We’ve been very clear that providing affordable homes and taking action against climate change are big priorities for the council over the next 4 years.
“The work at Market Street, which is a derelict site, is a significant step forward in creating 81 new affordable and social rent homes for local residents, which we really need. In addition, these homes and all the others on the site will be environmentally friendly, so it’s a very exciting project. I’m looking forward to seeing the construction progress and the first residents move in.”
Daniel King, managing director, London West, Countryside Partnerships, said:
“With sales progressing well at our Coopers Hill development, we are excited to build on this momentum with the start of construction at Market Street. In partnership with Bracknell Forest Council, we are regenerating a formerly derelict site into what will become a thriving mixed-use development with high-quality, tenure-blind new homes, thereby helping to create the council’s vision of a revitalised and flourishing Bracknell town centre.”
Sam Stone, director, land and planning at Abri, added:
“When we work together we can achieve so much, and the start of these homes is a great example of collaboration coming to fruition. Abri is committed to delivering 10,000 warm and sustainable homes by 2030 and we’re proud to be involved with this partnership, which will provide more affordable homes to enable the local community to grow and thrive.”
The affordable homes in Market Street are expected to be handed over to Abri by summer 2026. They will be managed by Abri and will be allocated to people on the council’s housing register as per the housing allocation policy.
Coopers Hill, Market Street and surplus land at the former depot site in Old Bracknell Lane are just 3 sites the partnership is redeveloping. Other key sites, and the plans for them, will be announced in the coming months.
