Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION: Conditional Approval

Proposal: Full planning application for the erection of the headquarters building of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECWMF) with access parking and landscaping, following demolition of existing buildings.

Applicant: Mace Group, on behalf of the Government Property Agency

The Committee considered a report on this application, set out in agenda pages 319 to 374.

The Committee were advised that updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda included:

• An additional condition added to the recommendations set out in Appendix 1

All councillors attended a site visit except Councillors Smith and Skuse.

Nick Paterson-Neild, agent, spoke in favour of the application. He explained that the project would be funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and met industry leading net-zero Carbon standards. He told the Committee that the centre was built in Shinfield in 1979 but that the current site did not provide the space required for the long-term need. He added that the building was of high architectural design quality and was in a sustainable location with great transport links. He concluded by saying this application ensured the world’s leading global weather prediction station remained in Wokingham Borough.

Councillor Smith asked whether Reading Borough Council refusing this application in full due to Highways safety was an issue. Gordon Adam reassured Members that the application wouldn’t have a major impact on traffic levels.

Members noted that this was a fantastic application and that they fully supported keeping this station in the Borough.

It was proposed by Councillor Cornish and seconded by Councillor Skuse that the application be approved.

RESOLVED: That application 232475 be approved subject to

A) Completion of a S106 agreement and;

B) Conditions as set out in the report and amended in the members update (if required) and additional condition in the Members update;

C) Should the S106 agreement not be signed by the applicant by six months of the committee resolution, delegate to the Assistant Director of Planning to refuse the application unless a longer timeframe is agreed with the Chair of Planning Committee in consultation with the Assistant Director of Planning.