Thames Valley Police wants to build a logistics hub off the A4 Bath Road, Thatcham
Thames Valley Police wants to build a logistics hub in Thatcham.
The three-storey block would be at Gables Way.
It would comprise offices, laboratories and associated ancillary uses.
The proposed hub will be around 7,800 square metres.
TVP also hopes to have an outdoor space, garage, storage building, reception building, internal access roads and car and cycle parking.
TVP said in its design statement: “The hub is designed to facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing between members of staff so that they are best placed to serve the communities they work in.”
Thatcham Town Council has supported the principle of the development.
But it suggested that the applicant considers reducing the height of the development.
The main hub is projected to reach 17.5 metres tall.
The council also requested that the roof space be used for solar panels and that there re sufficient electric vehicle charging points.
TVP told the council, in a presentation given prior to the meeting, the site would have around 400 employees – 20 to 30 per cent of which would commute from outside the area.
Midgham Parish Council objected to the planning application due to flooding risk, the height of the building and concerns about ribbon development along the A4.
The application has received 10 objections.
Among the reasons for objections, one person called the plans misleading in relation to height, flooding risks, increased traffic and disruption from office lighting.
One person said: “This proposed application is ribbon development on an industrial scale and sets an unhealthy precedent for an urban landscape joining Thatcham with Theale.”
Another said: “The proposed development would cause increased noise, light and traffic pollution for local residents.
“The construction work would cause a lot of disturbance and there would be an increase in the volume of traffic on the A4, which is already a very busy road.”
The determination deadline is in April.
The full application can be viewed by searching 23/02965/FULMAJ into the West Berkshire Council planning portal.
