Improvements at Coral Reef Waterworld, a much-loved memorial ground and accommodation for the homeless are among the Bracknell projects set to bag a slice of almost £15million worth of funding this year.
The Conservative administration at Bracknell Forest Council has unveiled its capital budget spending plans for 2023/24.
One of the biggest new projects is a plan to provide up to seven new temporary homes for the homeless at a council-owned site located near the BP petrol station between the A322 Bagshot Road and Opladen Way.
The site was previously used as an open-air storage compound, with no alternative uses coming forward as it could only be accessed from the petrol station.
But the council has won funding from the government to create access from Opladen Way so that the affordable acommodation can be built, which would be available through discount rent.
Despite the cheaper rents for occupants of the site, the council estimates it would make a surplus of £320,000 in later years, which would be invested in repair and maintenance costs.
The council also aims to invest £1 million into enhancements at Warfield Memorial Ground, of which £800,000 would come from external funding.
The project would involve building a new pavilion at the field which is home to Warfield Cricket Club.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillor Dr Gareth Barnard (Conservative, Warfield Harvest Ride) said: “Subject to planning, it will maintain and enhance a much loved facility.
“The memorial ground is part of the World War One playing fields initiative, which was established after the war to remember the lives lost.
“On Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday villagers lay large poppy wreathes.
“It’s been there for 100 years, so it’s a really important space.”
Other projects include investments in air handling units and new pumps at Coral Reef Waterworld.
Air handling units and new pumps would also be installed at Bracknell Sports and Leisure Centre.
Costs are calculated at £135,000 for the air units and £132,000 for the pumps.
£500,000 would be invested in the commercial depot redevelopment, which involves demolishing almost all buildings on site and replacing them with one large new two-storey building providing workshops at the ground floor and office space on the first floor.
Cllr Peter Heydon (Conservative, Old Bracknell) has highlighted that the council also aims to spend £1.6 million on highways maintenance within the capital budget.
Additionally, Bracknell Forest Council aims to invest in services it shares with other councils in Berkshire, with £194,000 being invested in the expansion of the Berkshire Records Office in Coley Avenue in Reading.
These capital projects were approved by the council’s executive committee on Tuesday, February 7.
The capital budget must be approved at a full council meeting on Wednesday, February 22.
The total capital programme amounts to nearly £15 million (£14,987,000).
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