Proposal to demolish ‘unviable’ office building in Thatcham

A company has applied to demolish an existing office building in Thatcham Business Village.

Flexspace No.3 LLP has proposed to demolish an office building, located off Colthrop Way, and replace it with a storage and distribution warehouse with office space, access, parking and landscaping.

The applicant’s planning statement read: “With a low occupancy rate and limited prospect of future tenants, retention of the building has been deemed unviable and has made management and maintenance difficult, putting the building at risk of decay.

“It is therefore sought to provide an alternative and more viable use to futureproof the site and encourage new employment activity within the estate.”

The Ecological Assessment revealed: “There are not considered to be any significant adverse effects on any statutory or non-statutory sites of nature conservation interest from any development proposals.

“No buildings or trees within the site were identified as having developed features that may support roosting bats.”

The proposal would remove 112 car parking spaces, leaving a total of 23.

Two disabled parking spaces and 18 cycle spaces would also be added.

Refuse/recycling would be stored and collected from the service yard.

West Berkshire Council is due to decide on the application by Wednesday, October 30.