Plans to redevelop Maidenhead Office Park as 600,000 square feet of industrial and logistics have been thrown out by the council.
The Maidenhead Development Management Committee, part of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, has refused Anglesea Capital's proposal to redevelop the site at Westacott Way, Littlewick Green, for industrial and logistics use with surface car parking and landscaping.
Objections had been raised about the impact on the greenbelt and environment, pollution, height of the buildings, and its effect on White Waltham Airfield next door, as well as traffic that would see up to 800 heavy lorry movements from the site every day.
Cllr Maureen Hunt suggested the 16-metre height of proposed solar panels on the roofs would be a threat to aircraft.
Planning officers had backed the plans ahead of the meeting saying the impact on the environment was outweighed by the economic opportunities it presented.
It raises questions about the perceived differences between industrial and office use in employment zones, particularly at office campuses that are struggling to find tenants. The site was industrial before being developed as offices.
The Maidenhead Advertiser quotes Mark Harris, the applicant’s planning consultant, saying at the meeting that the current office park was "experiencing high levels of prolonged vacancy’ and the application would offer a ‘significant opportunity for growth".
It also reported a statement from Anglesea Capital: “Naturally, Anglesea Capital is disappointed with the outcome to refuse the application for the regeneration of Maidenhead Office Park despite the recommendation for approval from council officers.
“We are currently reviewing our options in the light of the committee’s decision.”