Campaigners seeking to retain Woodley’s art deco former Adwest building have lost their fight.
The Planning Inspectorate has ruled in favour of Goya Developents’ plans to demolish the building in Headley Road East, the last intact remnant of the former Woodley Aerodrome, for a 10-unit industrial development to be called Hurricane Urban Hub.
Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected Goya’s plans in June 2022 and the building, first built for Miles Aircraft production in the 1930s, was made a Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA). A petition of more than 4,500 names supported the building’s retention.
Historic England (HE) had refused an attempt to have the building given listed status, saying too little of the original fabric of the building remained since it had been altered over the years.
Planning inspector Paul Thompson said, in the subsequent appeal decision, published just before Christmas, that the building had limited historic features, and stated its two main sheds serve only as evidence of the design approach of the era.
His report said: “The buildings are of typical mid-20th century industrial form and significantly altered inside and out, including through extensions, and blocking of windows and doors. Hence, they are of limited architectural and historic interest.
“I acknowledge the presence of the Museum of Berkshire Aviation off ‘Mohawk Way’, other road names such as ‘Perimeter Road’, and further elements of wartime history nearby, including pillboxes.
“However, the Museum is distant from the site and has no obvious visual or physical connection with it.
“In light of all of the above, while I have no reason to dispute the local historic, architectural, and cultural importance of the buildings and their status as a NDHA, I consider them to only be of limited significance.”
Goya’s scheme, which extends across Viscount Way at the rear, covers 7.6 acres, has 10 units, ranging from 10,500 sq ft to 105,000 sq ft totalling 185,000 sq ft. It will target EPC A + and BREEAM Excellent.
The development is likely to result in an estimated uplift in the number of jobs of between 70 and 281, depending on the new occupiers.
Jim Bryan, director of Goya Developments, said: “We’re delighted to have obtained the detailed planning permission for our scheme which will be so much cleaner than the historic use, and more than replace the jobs lost.”
The team includes PRC Architecture & Planning, Bellona Advisors and Form Design Group.
Agents letting the space are Hollis Hockley, DTRE and Haslams Chartered Surveyors.
© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.
