WOKINGHAM Borough Council’s planning committee will vote on the future of a historic building in Woodley tomorrow night.
At the meeting on Wednesday, June 8, the committee will decide whether to approve plans to demolish the Miles building on Headley Road East, after a previous decision on the plans was deferred last month.
The committee previously decided that more time was needed to understand the context of the site.
It also decided that a site visit was necessary to consider the heritage aspects and environmental health issues raised.
Wokingham.Today understands councillors visited the site on Monday, June 6.
Following the deferral, the planning officer has maintained their recommendation to approve the application.
Julian Temple, who has written the definitive history of the airfield, Wings Over Woodley, is concerned that not enough time has been taken to consider the issues.
He said: “I was surprised the decision has gone back to the planning committee so quickly after the deferral.
“I am also disappointed that nothing new on the building’s heritage has been added by the planning officer.
“It’s very concerning.”
Under the proposal, five commercial buildings for light industrial work and storage as well as offices, car parking and a new access road would be built.
The art deco site is one of the last remaining buildings from Woodley’s airfield days and has many historical links.
A petition to save the site from being demolished received more than 4,500 signatures with many residents calling for the site to repurposed to maintain its features.
