Agenda item

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement.

Proposal: Full planning application for the proposed demolition of Nigra House and the erection of 12 no. employment units (Use Classes E (g) (ii) and (iii) and B8) with new vehicular access and associated works including car parking, servicing and landscaping.

Applicant: Nigra Centre Ltd.

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 15 to 48.

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

Stephen Conway was of the opinion that this was an entirely appropriate application which had received no objections. Stephen added that he was pleased to see that the recommendation of approval was subject to agreement of a legal agreement to secure an employment skills plan.

Rebecca Margetts sought clarification as to how many electric vehicle charging points were proposed to be provided on site, and queried whether there was any way to encourage additional provision of electric vehicle charging points. Kamran Akhter, Principal Highways Development Management Officer, stated that the revised technical note submitted by the applicant set out that 6 active and 6 passive electric vehicle charging points would be installed. Mark Croucher, case officer, noted that Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC’s) current policy was not strong enough to obligate applicants to secure more than what was proposed.

Wayne Smith commented that only a ten-percent reduction in carbon emissions was proposed as part of this application. Wayne asked that the Planning Team consider provision of supplementary guidance on this matter should the Local Plan Update be delayed, which would encourage applicants to achieve higher carbon reduction savings and energy efficiency standards.

RESOLVED That application number 221409 be approved, subject to conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 16 to 23, and subject to legal agreement.