Agenda item

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Proposal: Full application for the proposed demolition of the existing office buildings (Class E(g)(i)) and the erection of 1 no. building to form a single employment unit (Flexible Class E(g)(iii), B2 and B8 use(s)) with ancillary offices, including vehicular and pedestrian access, parking, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works

Applicant: The Owner and/or Occupier

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 241 to 278.

The Committee were advised that there were no updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda.

Angus Ross proposed that the meeting be extended by thirty minutes to a maximum end time of 11pm. This was seconded by Stephen Conway and upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.

Mark Thomson, agent, spoke in support of the application. Mark stated that the applicant had worked closely with officers, and thanked them for their professional report. Mark added that the site was in a very poor state and the application would transform the site to deliver a high quality industrial logistics development, which would respond positively to the Cutbush Industrial Estate. Mark stated that the site had extant residential permission, however this was not viable and it was considered the site’s location was more appropriate and logical for continued employment use. Mark added that the development sought to meet an unmet need for industrial and logistics within the Borough and would contribute approximately £4-5 million per annum to the economy whilst also generating a number of on and off-site construction and operational jobs. Mark stated that the design delivered a net gain in biodiversity, new native tree and hedge planting across the site, a mix of car, cycle and motorcycle parking including electric vehicle charging points, and sustainable drainage measures. Mark added that the building design incorporated high quality materials and has been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent. Mark highlighted that the parking and infrastructure requirements had been carefully developed in close collaboration with the Council, including the Highways officer. Mark noted that no objections had been received, and one comment of support had been received from and adjacent business. Mark stated that the proposals were in accordance with local and national planning policy and guidance, and urged the Committee to approve the application.

Andrew Mickleburgh felt that the proposals had many merits including the BREEAM Excellent rating. Andrew sought details regarding the numbers and timing of HGV movements, and queried whether any parking restrictions along Cutbush Lane towards Danehill could be included and operational prior to occupation. Chris Easton, Head of Transport, Drainage and Compliance, stated that condition 22 had been set to limit the land use to comply with Wokingham Borough Council’s parking standards. In addition, there were proposals for funding to enable a traffic regulation order, however that would be determined via a separate process. Chris stated if there was an existing speeding issue, this should be reported. Andrew Mickleburgh asked officers to investigate the need for double yellow lines close to the junction of Danehill and Cutbush Lane.

Pauline Jorgensen stated that she would be very keen for double yellow lines to be installed. Pauline raised concerns that HGV vehicles would be going past residential houses. Simon Taylor stated that there were five loading bays to the rear of the building, and the number of trip movements used within the acoustic assessment was for 7 to 8 vehicle movements over a nine-hour overnight period, which was not deemed to be harmful compared to the background noise of the motorway. Pauline Jorgensen noted that the noise assessment had only been carried out on the building, and not the residential houses. Simon Taylor stated that a condition could be incorporated within the delivery logistic plan, giving an undertaking to reach an appropriate outcome via the Chairman and Andrew Mickleburgh. This condition was agreed by the Committee and added to the list of conditions.

RESOLVED That application number 214046 be approved, subject to conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 242 to 252, additional incorporation within the delivery logistic plan condition to give an undertaking to reach an appropriate outcome via the Chairman and Andrew Mickleburgh, and subject to legal agreement.