Bracknell Councillors Approve £2.8 Million Housing Plan

Leading councillors in Bracknell have agreed a £2.

Bracknell councillors have approved a £2.8 million plan to purchase homes for families in need. The Bracknell Forest Council cabinet agreed to buy eight properties—four three-bedroom and four four-bedroom homes—aimed at families on the housing register.

The funds will come from section 106 contributions, which are payments developers make to the council. Councillor Helen Purnell highlighted the urgent need for affordable family homes, stating that many families spend years waiting for suitable accommodation.

She noted, “Investing developers’ money in eight homes is a simple, quick and effective way to help reduce overcrowding and bring down waiting times.” This initiative complements other projects in the area aimed at providing affordable and social rent homes, including new builds near the town centre.

During the cabinet meeting on November 4, council leader Mary Temperton stressed that developers shouldn’t use this project as an excuse to avoid building affordable homes in their developments. In response, Brian Daly, head of housing, explained that developers must provide valid reasons if they cannot include affordable housing on site.

Last year, 43 three-bedroom and five four-bedroom affordable rent homes became available through Bracknell Forest Council's housing register. Additionally, Cllr Guy Gillbe raised questions about housing association tenants' right to acquire, to which Mr Daly confirmed that tenants can acquire after three years, although discounts are lower compared to the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme. Abri, the biggest registered provider in Bracknell, recently acquired Silva Homes.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter