The plans outline an urban overhaul that will see a new mixed-use heart for the town aimed at encouraging local people to use the town's amenities; retail and leisure.

The decision by the council is one of the last hurdles that needs to be cleared in order for the programme to kick off. Owing to its size, the plans will also need to be scrutinised and approved by the Government Office for the South East before a formal decision can finally be issued by Bracknell Council.

Details of the plans include 603,000 sq ft of new retail space, 161,500 sq ft of leisure and 3,500 new car parking spaces. A 43,000 sq ft food store will act as an anchor and 1,000 new homes will also be created.

A strong architectural team has been assembled to make the vision a reality with Stanhope working as masterplan development manager and the Richard Rogers Partnership appointed to work on masterplan analysis and development. Chapman Taylor has focused on designing the retail elements of the scheme within the masterplan framework.

David Gregory of BRP said: "The regeneration scheme will put the heart back into Bracknell by investing in a sustainable community for the future and creating a first-class, mixed-use town centre for the borough." He added: "Construction work will start around 18 months after the first granting of planning permission, once road closure orders have been agreed and negotiations with relevant landowners complete."

Guy Parkes of agency Rogers Chapman, which has an office in the town, said: "This decision is long overdue. The town is home to many household names and global companies, but for too long Bracknell and its residents have suffered from an out-dated shopping precinct that does not reflect the town's status as a centre of regional importance. This long-awaited regeneration will bring new business to the town and enhance property values throughout the area."

The BRP was formed in April 2003 when the town's two major landowners, Legal & General and the Schroder Exempt Property Unit Trust formed a partnership to pursue regeneration.

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