by Edward Simpkins
Bracknell Forest council this week resolved to grant planning permission for a 25,000m2 (269,107 sq ft) civic development outside Bracknell Station. But an eleventh-hour Article 14 notice prevented it from giving full consent.
The scheme, to be built by Legal & General, is part of the fund’s plans for its proposed 116,125m2 (1.25m sq ft) redevelopment of a large part of the town’s centre. L&G, the council’s preferred developer, is hailing the resolution as a victory in its battle with Allied London Properties and Schroders for control of the town’s retail heart and for the right to build a huge new regional shopping centre there.
Stephen Mundy, property director of L&G’s life fund, said the Article 14 notice was not a setback. “It’s part of the process of putting together a project of this nature. It is far more important that the resolution to grant was passed than the Article 14,” he said.
The station sites are owned by the Commission for the New Towns and are the most hotly contested in the town. L&G intends to build new offices for the council, a police station, library, magistrates’ court and 8,025m2 (86,380 sq ft) of office space. The outline consent also allows for a new bus station and up to 50 new homes.
Allied London, on the other hand, has included the sites in a proposed £400m 139,390m2 (1.5m sq ft) extension and redevelopment of its Princess Square shopping centre. Allied London is thought to have offered the CNT a higher price for the land, on the basis of retail values, but the CNT seems to have decided not to sell until the dispute is settled.
