Views are being sought from residents and the local community in Bracknell on proposals to redevelop Hambleden & Hurley Courts, Woodmere, into 106 brand new properties.
The live proposals, which will help meet the urgent need for affordable and sustainable homes in Bracknell, include:
- An increase in the number of homes from 72 to 106, including 30 three bedroom homes for local families
- 100% of homes to be social or affordable rented - a doubling of the number of affordable homes on the current site
- Excellent sustainability – making homes gas free with individual low energy systems supplemented by solar systems on the roof
- Creating 138 car parking spaces for residents and a further 21 spaces for visitors
- Secure cycle storage and electric charging facilities
- New landscaping and pedestrian routes
- Sustainable urban drainage and rain gardens to help with water drainage.
Last year housing provider Abri, which owns the stock, discovered the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) at Hambleden & Hurley Courts. Abri has worked closely with the residents, putting in temporary measures to keep residents safe, but in the long-term the buildings cannot be repaired and must be demolished and replaced.
Abri has invited residents and the wider local community, such as businesses, neighbours and councillors, to a public consultation next week to come along and look at the plans for the proposed redevelopment. The project team will be on hand to field any questions and attendees can also fill in a feedback form with their views.
Whilst these proposals are underway, Abri is in the process of permanently rehousing all existing residents in some of its other local homes, and is working to buy back the leasehold properties.
Paul Quinn, Regeneration Project Director at Abri, said: “We know there is an urgent need for good quality affordable housing for both families and individuals in Bracknell, with an estimated 1700 households on the waiting list in the area as of April 2024.
“Abri’s proposals to replace the current properties at Hambleden & Hurley present a real opportunity to help meet this need. We will provide modern and sustainable homes for the local community, within a new landscaped setting and close to public transport links.
“Alongside this we are currently working with our existing residents to permanently rehouse them in other Abri properties so they will continue to live in high quality homes.”
The public consultation takes place next Wednesday 12 March, 4pm-8pm at St Pauls Church The Square, Harmans Water, Bracknell, RG12 9LP. People who are unable to attend the consultation can also give their feedback online at abri.co.uk/what-we-do/development/hambleden-and-hurley
Following the consultation Abri will review all feedback as part of its proposal, with a view to submitting a planning application to Bracknell Forest Council by June 2025.
Abri has partnered with Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt (Architects), Lambert Smith Hampton (Planning Consultants), Terra Firma (Landscape Architects), Paul Basham Associates (Transport Consultants), and Welling Partnership along with a number of other technical partners on this Scheme.