Demolition is taking place on a large four-storey office building in Bracknell to make way for a new industrial warehouse.
RSA House in the Western Road industrial area previously served as the offices for the RSA Security UK cybersecurity firm.
The offices were built in 2000, and cover a prominent 1.5-acre site at the junction of Western Road, Turnpike Road, Wokingham Road and Moordale Avenue.
But now it is in the process of being demolished to make way for a new commercial building.
Photos taken by drone pilot Styles Views show a central section of RSA House gutted out by demolition vehicles, with only the superstructure and rubble remaining.
Two sections of the building still stand, connected only by the superstructure.
The demolition project is taking place after a plan was approved by Bracknell Forest Council to replace RSA House with a new warehouse, which could be used for the research and development of products or industrial processes.
The plans state that the new building has been designed to enhance the appearance of the site.
Amendments to the design of the building and the parking layout were subsequently made following discussion with council officers.
The planning department concluded that these amendments made the development acceptable, with the replacement building being approved in October 2023.
The project was given the go-ahead on the condition that work should take place within three years of approval and that details of the demolition should be submitted and accepted by the planning department.
The council approved details of the demolition phase of the project on Wednesday, October 8.
Concerns were raised about the impact the demolition will have on trees and underground roots.
That is why a condition placed on the demolition phase is that existing trees, hedgerows and groups of mature shrubs must be protected while work takes place.
It is understood that details relating to the retention of trees have been accepted by the council’s planning department, clearing the way for the demolition captured by Styles Views.
RSA House was acquired by the Angle Opportunity Fund for approximately £3.2 million in August 2022.
At the time, James Good, the director of Angle Property, suggested the site could have a ‘retail-led’ occupier.
However, that suggestion was abandoned in favour of the industrial use.
You can view the approved plans for the replacement building by typing application reference 22/00879/FUL into Bracknell council’s planning portal, and details of the demolition using reference 25/00117/COND.
Styles Views is based in Binfield. Photos shared on Facebook show The Point in Bracknell, Bird Hills Golf Course in Hawthorn Hill and Reading FC’s Select Car Leasing Stadium.
