The former 3M building, owned by developer Comer Homes Group and officially known as Winchester House, will disappear from the borough’s landscape over the coming weeks after demolition work began on Thursday.

A 180-tonne Hitachi long-reach cruncher with a munching arm moved into the site – which has been derelict since 2003 – and it is expected the works will take eight weeks to complete, dependent on weather conditions.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for economic development and regeneration, and the chairman of Comer Homes Group, Brian Comer, visited the building on Friday last week to mark the milestone for the town.

Cllr Brunel-Walker said: “This is a momentous day for Bracknell Forest and Bracknell town centre’s regeneration. We’ve worked really hard with Comer Homes to ensure that this regeneration work takes place as we know its demolition and redevelopment is something our residents have continually cited.

“This is yet another huge step forward in the regeneration of our town centre and I’m sure many residents and visitors will welcome seeing this hideous building being removed from the borough’s landscape forever.” ‘Soft strip’ demolition work – which included the removal of internal fixtures and fittings – began in August. Planning permission was granted in April by the council to replace the eyesore with nine blocks of 311 apartments, a café, shops and leisure facilities.

Mr Comer added: “We’ve worked very closely with the council to ensure the best outcome for this site and we’re grateful for all the help we received in making this happen.

“We’re very pleased that the demolition has started and we’re looking forward to a bright future in Bracknell.” However, some residents have complained that building work has been going on too late, with Wendy Bennett, who lives in Bracknell town centre, saying that demolition work was still taking place on the building at nearly 10pm on Sunday night.

She said: “They were still pulling down the building at 9.40pm on Sunday night. People with young children have them in bed - how in earth are they meant to sleep with all that smashing and crashing going on, it’s out of order.” Comer Homes was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.