A £750m mixed-use redevelopment scheme has been announced for Bracknell’s town centre.
Designed by Richard Rogers Partnership, the redevelopment will cover 161,458sq ft of leisure space and include hotel, cafes, bars and residential space.
The centrepiece of the regeneration will be the Bracknell Eye – a covered, landscaped town square area which will feature both retail and leisure facilities.
A new library and borough council offices will be built to the south of the town centre, providing the setting for the New Jubilee Gardens.
Transport will also be improved around the redevelopment area with a centrally located bus station and additional public parking spaces.
The scheme is backed by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP), which represents the town’s major landowners.
It has been developed from Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s 2002 masterplan for the town centre, which was created following widespread consultation.
Currently in the outline planning application stage, more details of individual elements of the project will be released once planning permission has been granted.
BRP has announced that it is committed to making the site a green development. E4.2m (£2.9m, $5.6m) of European Commission funding has been secured to help deliver green energy from renewable sources for the town centre.
If planning permission is granted next year, construction will begin in 2006 with phased completion of the main parts of the scheme taking place from 2008.
David Gregory, development manager for the BRP, said: “The aim of the regeneration scheme is to completely transform Bracknell town centre ensuring a new identity and vibrant future for the town.”
Outline plans for the redevelopment will be on public display at 30 Charles Square between 30 November and 18 December. Details: www.changebracknell.com