Developer seeks to 'intensify' Holyport office area

An application seeking to ‘intensify’ an office site in Holyport – which was controversially given approval to be partly turned into flats in 2021 – is awaiting a decision from RBWM.

Two years ago, there were two applications put forward, both for 28 flats at Tectonic Place in Holyport Road. The first was withdrawn.

The two were substantially the same, and neighbours were concerned about overdevelopment of the site, as well as a reduction in the office space in the borough.

There were also worried about reopening a closed access point via Hendons Way, which some consider to be unsafe.

Approval for this second change of use application was granted in September 2021.

Now there is a new application for the site which seeks to build one two-storey home and 10 commercial units for 'light industrial or business use'.

Some of these would be within single-storey buildings, and others within two-storey ones.

Building the home, which is proposed to be a four-bed, would involve an alteration to the highway access.

It is by the same applicants as before – Sorbon Estates, part of the Shanly Group.

James Griffiths, senior planning manager for Shanly Homes, wrote in the cover letter:

“Since the original purchase of the business park, Sorbon Estates has secured additional land surrounding the development in order to be able to create greater flexibility in terms of the commercial accommodation available on the premises.

“In addition, the expansion of the park is required to improve the commercial viability of running the business park.”

RBWM’s preference is for existing business parks to offer smaller, flexible units for small and medium-sized firms which may otherwise look for space outside the Borough, Mr Griffiths added.

The plan uses existing employment areas and promotes a ‘more intensive use through the recycling, refurbishment and regeneration of existing older or vacant stock and the promotion of flexible working practices.’

Sorbon Estates believes the lone house will serve the function of increasing the level of security for the business park, which will generally be unoccupied in the evenings.

Fifteen parking spaces will be provided with EV charging points. There will also 24 cycle spaces scattered throughout the site.

See all documents with reference 24/00082/OUT.