News

"3M building" plans thrown out

By Hugh Fort
July 19, 2012

Plans for 311 flats in place of one of Bracknell's most hated eyesores have been thrown out after the developers failed to meet a deadline for a piece of vital paperwork.

Comer Homes had been hoping to demolish the Winchester House tower block, better known locally as the 3M building, and replace it with a spectacular, modern block of apartments.

Comer Homes' radical plans for 3M building

However, planning law requires the company to submit a Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), detailing how the building work may affect the environment.

It has 21 days to do that after submitting an application, but has failed to meet that deadline.

As a result, the council has no choice but to throw the plans out.

Rooftop garden for 3M tower

Vincent Haines, head of development management at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “We received a planning application for redevelopment of Winchester House in April. Following screening of the application in accordance with the Environmental Regulations the applicants were notified of the need to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

“There then followed a period of 21 days within which the applicant must either confirm that an EIA will be carried out, or that they are going to apply to the Secretary of State for a ruling that such an assessment is not required.

“The applicant did not respond to the letter following their confirmation of its receipt and we understand that no contact was made with the Secretary of State within the 21 day period.

“This failure by the applicant to respond has resulted in the application being deemed refused in accordance with the Environmental Regulations and we have written to the applicant advising them of this.

“The council remains committed to seeing the building redeveloped as soon as possible and we will work with the landowners to do all we can to make that happen.”

What do you think? Would you like to see the building demolished? Leave your comments below.

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Most recent user comments 9 of 9

Well I must say this news is about as welcome as a lap dancer breaking wind in a 'gentlemans' club.

Alan Titchmarsh Esq., Bracknell
21/07/2012 at 15:43

And on and on it goes. You couldn't make it up...

Dids, Bracknell
20/07/2012 at 12:43

Don't give them anything, we are not being blackmailed as a community by these thug developers.

I don't see why they should be allowed to build anything other than a 4 story building on the site, high rise is no longer an acceptable building practice in Bracknell.

Speculative developers are just that, speculative, we have no obligation to give them a licence to print money with a high rise redevelopment of the site.

Wiztwas, Binfield
20/07/2012 at 09:07

What a disappointment. The 3M building really does need to go and NOW. The town centre is an absolute disgrace and needs something done to it,if not regeneration for goodness sake tidy it up. I find it embarassing to let people know where I live. The people of Bracknell deserve better, the majority of us are decent and hard working so come on BFC get cracking.

yenrab, bracknell
19/07/2012 at 17:53

The degeneration of Bracknell seems to be accelerating. Shops closing to be replaced with car parks that nobody is allowed to use. Empty shops being tarted up with boards announcing the regeneration that is "due any time now". The market enclosed with razor wire. Endless rows of charity shops interspersing empty shops. The only low income housing (Enid House) sold off to a private developer so that the tenants can be ejected leaving the place empty for years. Excuses found to stop any private development initiatives that would actually improve the place. Is this the great plan? Grind the town into submission. Get rid of the shops. Get rid of the people, and then what? Please, please do not answer with any more claptrap about the town regeneration. Quite simply nobody believes this Council anymore.

Nigel Rennie
19/07/2012 at 16:29

Whilst I welcome the new post-moderation method being used on the comments section, it does appear to lead to some rather 'odd' messages being posted. Does anyone out there (other than Tim Jefferies) have a clue what he is on about?

Sus, Sandhurst
19/07/2012 at 16:11

Agree completely with HK - now is the time for BRP, BFC, BTC, and FSB to eat some humble pie, admit that intoxication in a brewing establishment is beyond them, and sit down and work on some sensible regeneration plans that include a Healthspace and market. CPO the 3M building and knock it down - this year. The people of Bracknell will thank you just for that and might take you seriously.

One question though - most BTC councillors are BFC councillors too - how come it passed BFC but not BTC?

Winstanley, Bracknell
19/07/2012 at 14:48

3M is to put the entire district of Bracknell on castors and wheel it into Basingstoke, it has emerged.

A 3M spokesman said: “The hauling of Bracknell down the M3 is part of a new corporate initiative called 'Being Good Again'."

Timothy Jefferies
19/07/2012 at 12:16

Well what can I say! Huge disappointment that the building is staying for now but greatly relieved the market is safe for the next few months. We now just wait to be told what the ideas are for the market to be re-located and where. We might be safe now but we won’t be forever. Please BRP and the council, let us in on our future. Don’t wait until the next set of plans are put in and passed before thinking and involving us in our new location, do it now!

HK, bracknell
19/07/2012 at 11:33

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"3M building" plans thrown out

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