Decision Looms on Bracknell Car Park Demolition

A decision is due on the demolition of Bracknell's High Street multi-storey car park, closed in October 2023 after inspectors found significant structural deterioration. Built in the 1970s, it offered about 980 spaces and a walking link to Princess Square. The building also housed the music charity The Couch and council services before a full closure in December last year.

The development partnership leading the town-centre regeneration wants to replace the car park with apartments. The council is a member of the Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership alongside Countryside Properties, which has applied for the demolition. Bracknell Forest Council's planning committee will decide on Thursday 13 August.

Planning officer Kevin Lloyd Jones has recommended approval because of the building's condition. His report states: "Structural assessments have confirmed that the building is deteriorating and cannot safely continue in use in the long term.

"There is therefore a need for demolition in the interest of public safety."

The site forms part of the Bracknell town centre masterplans supplementary planning document (SPD), approved in October 2024. The masterplan signals a tall landmark apartment building to replace the car park, another apartment building on the site and safe, direct crossings of The Ring and Market Place to improve east-west connectivity.

Mr Lloyd Jones states: "In March 2025 the council's cabinet formally approved the award of a demolition contract in recognition that demolition is the only
viable option to address the building's condition and to support long-term regeneration aspirations.

"Although this proposal is just for the demolition, the town centre
Masterplans SPD will help guide the future redevelopment of the site to include a diverse mix of uses.

"Among other ambitions, the SPD seeks to see improved connectivity through the High Street Car Park site with other parts of the town centre, which would not be realised without the demolition of the existing buildings."

You can view the project by typing reference PA/2026/0294 into the council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter