Millions-Value Home Faces Demolition for Housing

A multimillion-pound house near Bracknell could be demolished to make way for up to 160 homes.

Murrell Hill Grange is a seven-bedroom, six-bathroom property with large living areas, grounds, a tennis court, a landscaped garden with a moat and a lake. It was built in the late 1980s as a replacement for an earlier home on the site.

It was marketed for rent at £6,000 per month by the Prospect Estate Agency in Bracknell, but a listing on On The Market says it is no longer available.

Plans show a number of new homes around the lake. The exact housing mix isnt final, but the development would be 35 per cent affordable to meet Bracknell Forest Council's policies.

"It is envisaged that the scheme will provide a mix of dwelling sizes including one to two bed apartments and two to five bedroom houses."

"As an edge of settlement location, the housing mix will have a focus on the provision of family homes of three or more bedrooms."

The site sits between new homes built for the Blue Mountain development and Binfield village, and is bounded by Blackman's Copse and Bluebell Woods to the south and Pockets Copse to the west.

The applicant, Helmsley Land Ltd, is also proposing to create Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) on the land to provide a natural area for neighbours away from ecologically sensitive spots.

"The site is well located and accessible to local services and public transport opportunities."

"The proposal is for up to 160 homes, of a mixture of types and tenures to supply much needed, predominantly family housing to Bracknell."

"A substantial number of key benefits would be provided through this development, in regards to housing need, open space provision, SANG, environmental enhancements, infrastructure improvements, economic benefits, social benefits and sustainability."

You can view the application by typing reference PA/2026/0831 into Bracknell Forest Council's planning portal.

Because of its location near the borough boundary, Wokingham Borough Council and St Nicholas Hurst Parish Council were consulted; neither raised objections. Residents did express concerns about pressure on schools, shops and healthcare.

A decision on the application is due before the start of December.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter