AYRE CHAMBERLAIN GAUNT SUBMITS PLANS FOR 106-HOME REGENERATION IN BRACKNELL
30 April 2026
Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, in collaboration with Lambert Smith Hampton on behalf of Abri Group, has submitted a planning application for the regeneration of Hambleden Court and Hurley Court in Bracknell, Berkshire.
The proposals will deliver 106 one, two and three-bedroom homes, replacing 72 existing flats, with 63% designated as affordable housing. The scheme responds to a clear local need for high-quality, sustainable homes, including a greater proportion of family-sized and accessible dwellings.
Originally intended for refurbishment, the project scope changed following the discovery of significant structural issues, including reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which made retrofit unviable. Temporary works have been completed, and a managed decant process is underway to support existing residents ahead of redevelopment.
The new proposals transform the site into a landscape-led, low-energy neighbourhood, shaped by community consultation and detailed pre-application discussions with Bracknell Forest Council’s planning officers. Three new buildings are carefully arranged within an enhanced green setting designed to prioritise wellbeing, biodiversity and long-term environmental performance.
The masterplan, developed with The Terra Firma Consultancy, retains the majority of mature trees while introducing substantial new planting, including over 500 new trees and extensive meadow, woodland and scrub habitats, within the functional landscape. The scheme will deliver a biodiversity net gain of 15.86%, alongside a significant increase in hedgerow provision. This contributes towards the careful management of surface water on site, while providing a cooling effect to the site’s microclimate.
Each building is composed of two linked volumes providing a very efficient form factor and offers a mix of dual-aspect apartments, maximising daylight, natural ventilation and views, and contributing to overheating mitigation. Ground floor homes include private gardens, while all residents benefit from balconies or outdoor space.
A robust and context-sensitive material palette features buff brick as the primary material, with feature brickwork detailing, complemented by bronze-toned metal and coloured glazed brick entrances to create distinct identities across the development.
Designed to Abri’s Future Homes Plus Standard, the scheme prioritises comfort and energy efficiency through optimised building form and orientation, high-performance fabric, air source heat pumps (ASHP), mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) and photovoltaic panels (PVs). . Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) analysis indicates a significant reduction in space heating demand, contributing to an 85% reduction in regulated carbon emissions compared to Part L 2021, surpassing the Future Homes Standard. Combined with early optimisation of facades, window and glazing proportions, delivers a building cost rate much lower than comparable building regulations compliant schemes.
“We’re incredibly proud of how the proposals have preserved and enhanced the site’s long-standing landscape character while enhancing amenities for the community, boosting biodiversity, improving water management, and making the most of views both within and beyond the site. We have evolved efficient built forms that respond sensitively to the landscape, balancing various competing constraints. Through this balanced approach, we can deliver, comfortable and energy-efficient homes, that are cost effective benefiting the local community and surrounding context.”
Paul Avery, Senior Associate at Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt
“Plans will meet an urgent need for good quality affordable housing for families and individuals in Bracknell. 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.”
Paul Quinn, Regeneration Director at Abri Group
The proposals also address key planning considerations, including parking provision, electric vehicle charging for all apartments, tree retention and long-term stewardship, positioning the project as a model for viable sustainable landscape-led suburban regeneration.