Car park demolition at High Street Car Park, The Ring, Bracknell

“Proposal: Demolition of the existing multi-storey car park structure, associated pedestrian footbridge crossings, and ground-floor commercial units.”

“The application site comprises the former High Street Car Park, located on land between The Ring and Market Street within Bracknell Town Centre. The multi-storey car park was constructed in the 1970s as part of the original town centre development and comprises a large concrete structure with commercial units at ground floor level fronting Market Street.”

“The site lies in close proximity to the Southern Gateway area and is identified within the Bracknell Town Centre Masterplans Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as a strategically important site for future regeneration, forming a connecting route from Market Street through to the town centre. The site is also identified within the Bracknell Town Centre Vision 2032 as a key opportunity area for redevelopment.”

“The most recent significant application is 15/00843/FUL which approved facade alterations to High Street Car Park and the two bridge walkways to Princess Square and the erection of an entrance portico to the car park.”

“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. On the 18 th 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.”

“The building, constructed in the 1970s, has been closed due to significant structural deterioration and can no longer safely remain in use. Its removal is considered necessary in the interests of public safety and to enable the comprehensive regeneration of this strategically important town centre site.”

“It has been demonstrated that the demolition will be carefully managed in accordance with the submitted Transport Statement, Demolition Environmental Management Plan, and Tree Protection and Monitoring Plan to ensure that impacts on the highway network, neighbouring uses, trees, and the town centre environment are appropriately mitigated. It is recommended that planning permission for the demolition be granted.”

“Air quality and dust management; including water suppression, controlled crushing operations, and compliance with Environmental Permit or exemption requirements.”

“Traffic, highway and pedestrian safety measures; including a dedicated traffic management plan, marshalled vehicle movements, and coordination with the Highway Authority regarding temporary road closures, bus diversions and pedestrian diversions.”

“The Council’s Highway Authority has considered the application and recommends approval, subject to conditions. The conditions are set out in section 11.”

“The Council’s Tree Service has reviewed the submitted Tree Constraints Plan, Tree Protection Plan, and Tree Monitoring Plan and has no objection to the application subject to the conditions set out in section 11.”

“The Committee noted: • Bracknell Town Council had no objection to the application. • There were no public objections to the proposals • An update in response to a representation from the Agent on behalf of Columbia Centre regarding the red line plan detailed in the supplementary report. • The consultee written responses from the Highway Authority, Tree Service and Environmental Health.”

“RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the amended conditions raised both in the supplementary report and at the meeting as well as an additional informative 8:”

“- 25485-TN01-2a - Response to Highways+App - Technical Note and drawings by Markides in response to Highways comments - P205jrAugust26FV03_AMS - Arboricultural Method Statement incorporating the Tree Constraints Plan and Tree Protection Plan – received 10.08.2026 - 25485-TS01-5a - Transport Statement - HSCP Bracknell+App 2 – Transport Statement – received 30.6.2026 - C9736 - DEMP - Bracknell Car Park - REV005 – Demolition Environmental Management Plan - received 12.08.2026 -…”

“The openings created must be sealed and made safe and watertight immediately following the removal of the two footbridges. Plans for repairing the side elevation of The Lexicon shall be submitted for approval by the Local Planning Authority within two months of the date of this permission and approved in writing before repairs commence. All works shall be undertaken in full accordance with the details thereby approved and completed as soon as reasonably practicable.”