Planning officers at Wokingham borough council have approved a planning application for 12 new apartments in a Ruscombe business park.
Nots for the decision noted how”.. the site is located within the modest development location of Ruscombe, within the Ruscombe business park, which has seen a gradual transition from fully commercial to quasi-residential use.
“Interserve House, once a commercial office building, has already been converted to residential use under prior approval, making this proposal a logical extension of the site’s evolving character, and intensifying development that relates logically to the existing settlement pattern.”
The application sought full planning permission for the construction of 12 apartments arranged in two blocks, each three storeys in height.
The apartments would be designed with a contemporary architectural style, incorporating materials such as red brick, clay tiles, and modern cladding.
Each unit will be dual aspect with either private balconies or ground floor gardens, ensuring high-quality internal amenity.
“The land subject to this application consists of partially previously developed land, with remnants of disused office amenity space and hardstanding, as well as scrubland of low ecological value.
“National policy affords a presumption in favour of the efficient use of land, as well as best utilising previously developed land which the proposal achieves.
“Given the council’s inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
“This proposal directly contributes to meeting the borough’s acute housing needs, while utilising a site well-located within defined settlement boundaries, compliant with the spatial strategy within the development plan.
“The scheme has been carefully designed to respect and enhance the character of both Ruscombe Lane and the adjoining business park.
“Although the proposed blocks are larger in height than nearby houses, separated by dense retained vegetation and Ruscombe Lane, their identity which is heavily influenced by Stanlake House justifies the scale, and the visual transition is managed effectively through design and retained landscaping.”
“A financial viability appraisal demonstrated that on-site provision of affordable housing would be unviable due to the cost of development.
“However, a financial contribution of £26,065 towards affordable housing has been secured through a Section 106 agreement.
“Whilst modest, this is often a reality for smaller house builders, particularly when utilising previously developed land which features higher set up costs that greenfield sites.
“A total of 22 parking spaces, including EV charging bays and visitor spaces, meets the parking standards within the Local Plan.”
Officers approved the plans on March 10., which had previously been debated at a meeting of the council’s planning committee in July 2025, and had been visited by members of the committee.
