Bracknell residents weren't surprised to hear the 1970s High Street multi-storey car park could be demolished to make way for flats.
The car park, linked to Princess Square when it opened in 1984, stopped taking vehicles in October 2023. Voluntary users such as The Couch music charity had to vacate before its full closure last December.
Only demolition permission is being sought, but the move would clear the site for housing as part of the town-centre regeneration. Early-stage plans in the Bracknell town centre masterplans suggest the site could make way for 142 dwellings with commercial space.
The masterplans were approved in October 2024. In March that year the Bracknell Forest Local Plan was adopted, setting where the council wants development until 2037.
Preparation work is under way for 226 homes at Beaufort Park and 220 homes at Derby Field in Crowthorne, mostly houses. High-rise apartments are being focused in the town centre.
The Southern Gateway is identified for 600 homes and the Eastern Gateway for 210 homes in the masterplans.
Demolition is being pursued by the Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership, a joint venture between the council and Countryside Homes. The council says structural deterioration means the building is no longer safe to use.
Residents on Facebook were largely unfazed. Two people said "there's a surprise". Christine Ryan said: "More flats, well, that's a surprise."
Leanne Philbey said: "We all knew that's why they really closed the car park, as if we need more flats!"
Si Foster joked: "Ah good, I was worried Bracknell was running out of flats."
Ian Shambrook said: "We don't need any more flats, we need houses with gardens and parking spaces, safe places for our children and grandchildren to grow up."
The council's planning committee will decide on the demolition on Thursday, August 13. You can view the application using reference PA/2026/0294 on the council's planning portal.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
