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Plans to demolish crumbling concrete flat blocks

Ruth Lucas
Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC An exterior view of Hurley Courts. The square buildings are a mixture of beige and green, with white window frames and surrounded by green grass. There is a yellow daffodil in the right lower corner of the image.BBC
Hambledon and Hurley Courts could be demolished and replaced with 106 new homes

A housing block with crumbling concrete in its structure could be demolished and replaced with brand new homes.

Housing association Abri has revealed plans to redevelop Hambleden and Hurley Courts in Woodmere, Bracknell, into 106 homes.

The association, which merged with Silva Homes in November, said it discovered Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, known as RAAC, in the structure of the buildings last year.

An Abri spokesperson said it had put in temporary measures to keep residents safe, but the building must be demolished.

A section of wooden panelled wall is in the foreground - it's painted white, but the paint is peeling away and looks slightly grey and weathered. Blurred in the background is the entrance to Hurley Court. A double door, which is a dark green with glass panels can be seen, with a white sign above which reads 'Hurley Court'
Plans submitted to the council in 2022 showed a wide range of issues with the existing buildings

Existing residents would be permanently rehoused in other Abri properties within the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The 1960s-style buildings are situated two miles (3.2km) from Bracknell town centre.

Plans shared by Abri show the number of homes would increase from 72 to 106, including 30 three-bedroom homes suitable for families.

All homes provided would be available for social or affordable rent.

The plans also indicate homes would be made gas free, with new landscaping and pedestrian routes, 138 car parking spaces and electric charging facilities.

Abri is holding a public consultation on the plans, which residents can attend between 16:00 and 20:00 GMT.

Abri An illustration shows the proposed new layout for the properties. The image shows a lot of greenery, with the buildings surrounded by trees, solar panels can be seen on the top of all three blocks, parking spaces and gardens.Abri
The consultation of Abri's plans will be held at St Paul's Church in Harmans Water

After the consultation, the firm intends to submit its plans to Bracknell Forest Council by June.

Paul Quinn, from Abri, said the plans would meet an "urgent need for good quality affordable housing" for families and individuals in Bracknell.

He said: "We will provide modern and sustainable homes for the local community, within a new landscaped setting and close to public transport links.

"Alongside this we are currently working with our existing residents to permanently rehouse them in other Abri properties, so they will continue to live in high quality homes."

Plans previously submitted to the council in 2022 showed a wide range of issues with the existing building, including damp, ventilation, security and fire safety.

A Fire Risk Assessment in the same year also found a number of potential fire risks within the blocks - but proposals to carry out a wide range of refurbishments to the buildings were withdrawn.

The consultation will be held at St Paul's Church in Harmans Water, Bracknell.

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