Plans have officially been submitted for a new logistics hub to replace the former Berkshire county council offices on the outskirts of Reading.
The Shire Hall office complex in Shinfield Park was constructed in 1981 to serve as the headquarters of Berkshire County Council.
Council officials vacated in 1998, with Foster Wheeler taking over in 2000. It was then taken over by the consultancy firm Wood plc in October 2017, before that company moved to new offices in Green Park.
The site was acquired by development company Wrenbridge and investors Fiera Real Estate in August last year.
Now, plans for what Wrenbridge wants to do with the site have been submitted.
The company is seeking the demolition of Shire Hall so it can be replaced with five new high-quality, purpose-built industrial buildings.
One of the buildings would be divided into two units.
Justifying the project, a planning agent from consultants Stantec wrote: “The proposed development forward positive economic development on an existing, outdated employment site.
“It will also provide high-quality employment floorspace for which there is a clear and identified need. This will in turn generate jobs and positively contribute to the local economy both within the short-term (during construction) and long-term (once operational).
“These jobs will be created within a well-designed, safe, attractive and accessible working environment.”
A total of 250 parking spaces would be provided, which will include 14 disabled bays and 45 electric charging points.
Wrenbridge also wants to provide 104 bicycle spaces and 15 motorbike spaces for future workers.
On the announcement of the acquisition of Shire Hall, Ben Coles, the chief executive of Wrenbridge, stated that it is in a ‘prime location’ for logistics due to its proximity to the M4 and M25.
Mr Cole said: “It’s a brilliant location that we believe will attract occupiers out of London to pay some sensible rents.”
The project has been submitted to Wokingham Borough Council’s planning department, which approved an application to demolish Shire Hall on Tuesday, February 18.
You can view the application for the replacement buildings by typing reference 250415 into the council’s planning portal, and the approved demolition using reference 250188.
The site has been sealed off since December to deter intruders.
A memorial bench to the late Chris Whitton, who used to work at Shire Hall, has been relocated to the home of Emma Patey in Woodley following discussions between her, Wrenbridge and its site management contractor.
Mrs Patey is Mr Whitton’s sister, who attended the installation of the memorial bench in March 1998 following his death from meningitis in September 1997 aged 26.
The bench is set to be reinstated once work is completed on the site.
