Almost a year after planners voted to approve 169 flats in Bracknell, the developer has won permission again – this time with a reviewed mix of affordable housing.
Members of Bracknell Forest Council’s advisory planning committee voted for approval of the scheme of four blocks of flats on the site of the former bus station in Market Way, subject to its s106 agreement, in February.
The development, put forward by Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership, a joint venture between the council and Countryside, included a 25 per cent proportion (42) of affordable homes, made up of 29 at affordable rents and 13 intermediate type units (shared ownership).
However, following a financial viability assessment of the scheme, which was reviewed by the council, the developer has brought it back to committee and won approval for the exact same development but with all the affordable units being shared ownership.
Councillors on the planning committee voted to approve the new application at the December 15 meeting, subject to a revised s106 agreement.
Chair of the committee Cllr Colin Dudley said: “It’s unfortunate when we have viability reports that come in that change our previous affordable housing structure and share, but I think it’s the nature of the beast at the moment.
“We know how much building materials are costing at the moment and I think we are going to be seeing more and more of these come before us on viability grounds.
“I think it’s still quite good that we are maintaining the percentage of intermediate housing which does help our residents.”
The hybrid application includes full permission for the three smaller blocks and outline permission for the other. A breakdown shows 55 one bedroom flats, 105 with two and nine with three.
The team on the project, which will also have 3,547 sq m of commercial space, includes Child Graddon Lewis as architect and Montagu Evans as planning consultant.
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