Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Full application for the proposed change of use from warehouse (Use Class B8) to mixed Use Class B1 and B8 following part demolition of existing building (part of units C5-C8), including erection of a rooftop extension to create internal plant rooms, external alterations including new cladding and external plant areas, changes to fenestration, modification of existing landscaping and parking layout and creation of new parking

Applicant: WinnershMidco SARL

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 231 to 274.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·           Deletion of Informative 3;

·           Clarificaiton that the information in Condition 6 was not required prior to commencement.

Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey commented that it was good to see a designated business area being maintained for business premises.

A number of Members raised their concern with regards to the felling of trees on the application site, particularly as 53 trees were planned to be felled with 25 replacement trees to be planted. Simon Taylor, Case Officer, stated that a wider landscaping plan was in place across the whole site which was wholly owned by the applicant.  The landscaping plan would see a net increase of trees across the wider site. Simon added that the Council’s tree Officer had accepted the proposals. Justin Turvey, Team Manager (Development & Regeneration), stated that the trees were not protected on-site and could be felled without planning permission.

Simon Taylor stated that the tree Officer had negotiated eight additional trees to be retained on the application site, and additional retained trees could inhibit growth of other trees, including newly planted trees. Simon reaffirmed that there was a commitment for a net increase of trees and landscaping across the wider site.

Stephen Conway proposed an additional Informative stating that it was an aspiration of Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to plant significantly more trees within the Borough as part of the response to the declared climate emergency, and therefore requested that the applicant consider to accommodate a significant increase in trees planted compared to trees felled within the site and the wider business park site. This proposal was seconded, carried, and added to the list of Informatives.

RESOLVED That application number 193285 be approved, subject to Conditions and Informatives as set out in agenda pages 232 to 241, deletion of Informative 3 and correction to Condition 6 as set out in the Members’ Update, and additional Informative as resolved by the Committee.