News

120 trees to go as town prepares for regeneration

By Becky Barnes
January 31, 2013

Bracknell's regeneration has stepped up a gear as work to clear the northern part of the town centre earmarked for demolition begins with the removal of trees.

Work to chop down approximately 120 trees in Broadway, Crossway, High Street and The Ring kicks off on Monday and has been brought forward to make sure trees are cleared before birds start to nest in March and April.

Helen Barnett, Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) marketing manager, said: “It is imperative we remove the trees before nesting season so we don’t upset their nesting habitat during a critical chick-rearing stage.

“With the plethora of forest areas surrounding the town centre, this early action minimises any impact on the bird population.”

Regeneration bosses want to reassure people the new designs for the northern part of the town centre will bring the essence of the surrounding countryside in through a series of natural urban spaces.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, executive member for economic development and regeneration, said: “As the regeneration picks up pace, some early work must be done to get the northern part of the town centre ready.

“I know some residents will be sad to see the trees coming down, but I can promise there will be lots of new trees and green landscaping as part of the regeneration.”

All the wood from the trees will be turned into wood chip and delivered to a biomass plant, where the chips will be converted into energy.

BRP says it is working closely with Bracknell Forest Council to keep disruption to a minimum and sections of the regeneration will be carried out in phases, with one area completed before going on to the next.

The work to chop down the trees is expected to be completed by the end of February ahead of demolition works in Broadway and Crossway due to start in the summer.

Plans for Bracknell’s regeneration were showcased at a public exhibition on Friday, January 18, and Saturday, January 19, where people were shown designs for green urban spaces visually linked to one another throughout the town.

The town centre scheme has been designed with street furniture and trees throughout to create a pleasant environment where people can sit and relax in the open air and under cover.

The top of the ring road will also be diverted to create a large square between Waitrose and the proposed M&S store which will bring the store and the new northern area together.

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http://www.pracbrown.co.uk/tree-moving?gclid=CLylpdfEtrUCFaLHtAodqwsAMg

What, like this company does?

HK, bracknell
14/02/2013 at 19:31

I realise these trees will be in the way but wonder if anybody looked into the costs involved in removing these trees with rootball intact so they could be replanted when building works are complete.

timespassing
13/02/2013 at 21:42

Well said HK!

Tom Edwards, Bracknell
04/02/2013 at 13:24

We have all been negative about the regeneration but hopefully we have all kept an ember of faith burning for when it does eventually happen. My ember is beginning to smoke and so wants to break out into a roaring fire but I’m keeping the O2 at a distance as I don’t want to yet again dampen down the flames. You have to crack a few eggs to make an omelette and it will be horrendous but we have suffered for all these years so hopefully we are prepared for the carnage that will happen before the phoenix is born from the ashes.

HK, bracknell
04/02/2013 at 11:49

Sorry - autocorrect kicked in .... should say ".... starting to happen, all PEOPLE can do ...."

Tom Edwards, Bracknell
02/02/2013 at 11:51

So - when things look like the are starting to happen all being can do is moan,and complain. What happens when the actual demolition starts? people will probably moan about that as well ....

I've been a huge detractor and been very negative and pessimistic about the whole thing ... but even a cynic like me is getting excited that this time it looks like the dump of our town centre is about to get regenerated

Tom Edwards, Bracknell
02/02/2013 at 11:50

I don't know how many times its possible for the regeneration to be 'kicked off'.. ...despite my sarky comments, I am very excited about what is now happening. It will be nice that all the people that never thought it would happen (even recently) will finally be proved wrong.

WhySoSerious, Bracknell
01/02/2013 at 15:46

"All the wood from the trees will be turned into wood chip and delivered to a biomass plant, where the chips will be converted into energy."

You mean, Waitrose are having it off us in return for an envelope stuffed with John Lewis vouchers.

Norma Snockers, Bracknell
01/02/2013 at 15:06

"Regeneration bosses want to reassure people the new designs for the northern part of the town centre will bring the essence of the surrounding countryside in through a series of natural urban spaces."

Doublespeak is alive and well in Bracknell.

Charles Foster Kane
01/02/2013 at 14:37

Yahoooooooo!!! The Regeneration is really being kicked off. BRP, go for it!!!

PRB, Bracknell
01/02/2013 at 14:34

We assume that the trees will only be removed from those areas where redevelopment will be starting in the next nine months. We should welcome the fact that an area that contains 120 trees will be under redevelopment before the end of the summer.

OR WILL IT?

PoneRana, Wokingham
01/02/2013 at 13:49

Thats sad. Its trees are the only thing that make the town centre even remotely pleasant.

It will have to be short term pain for a long term gain.

Scooby41
01/02/2013 at 12:29

Wasn't there some news ages ago about Princess Sqaure having a revamp too? Seems to have gone quiet on that front. That area outside Princess Square, including that horrible 'square' also needs pulling down, although not included in this next phase but hopefully will be next! Also I hope that 3M building will be replaced as that really is the biggest eye sore in Bracknell and would look terrible in the background to the new development.

Glen .
01/02/2013 at 10:10

Well trees coming down is a start I suppose! When i see all those ugly 1960/70's eye sore buildings come down and see the new build start then I'll be interested and excited. If the plans for the 'northern quarter' to become reality then it will be a massive bonus to the town and also must push up house prices I would think? Can't wait to have a night out in Bracknell, never thought I'd say that! So will the whole town centre be refurbished or does everyone think it'll just be this Northern part?