PLANS to build three warehouses on part of a Basingstoke business park have been approved despite 46 objections. 

An application was submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council by AEW UK Core Property Fund in October 2020 asking to demolish and replace one building and construct two new units on the site of the former Intec2 The Studios in Wade Road.

Permission was granted by the borough council in 2015 to change the use of the 2.8 ha business park.

The owners then submitted plans in 2020 asking to develop the site. Now, the council’s development control committee has decided that the plans can go ahead, despite the objections. 

READ MORE: Dozens object to 'massive' warehouse plans in Basingstoke next to residential area

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, March 29, resident Anthony Jeffery, said: “I have resided there for 42 years and saw the Intec development being built which was originally office buildings, that operated between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. A change of use application was granted without any local consultation, so we had no possibility of objecting at the time.

“Whilst we are not opposed to redevelopment, the prospect of three large warehouses operating 24/7, 15 metres away from the closest residence is unacceptable as the site has always been office hours.”

Mr Jeffery said that an email from developers in 2020 said the buildings were to be officers, “so we felt we had no cause for concern”.

SEE ALSO: 'It's not fair': Residents frustrated over changes to parking permits

Residents also raised concerns over light and air pollution. With resident, Sharon Burn adding: “The proposed multi-storey warehouses will present an intrusive and dominant presence which is not in-keeping with the original offices that were at this site and will overshadow the local housing which is only metres away. 

“Whilst we realise that the site does need redeveloping, a 24/7 operation could ruin the lives of local residents and is totally unnecessary given the previous operating hours.”

Matthew Mannering on behalf of the developer argued that the plans should be allowed, saying: “There is virtually no availability for firms in Basingstoke to expand into larger premises, the inability to meet the need for these types of buildings is restricting economic growth at a time when the economy is showing the weakest level of growth compared to similar EU countries.”

SEE MORE: Hampshire pub named as having best pub garden at awards show

Councillors argued that there was a lack of information about the number of HGVs that would use the site as no occupant has been agreed upon.

Cllr Richard Court said: “We don't know how many lorries we are talking about. The applicant hasn't got a user for the warehouse, so I don't think we actually have enough information to get any proper understanding of what the impact of noise is going to be on residents.”

Committee chair Cllr Nicholas Robinson added: “I am concerned about this, it seems we are protecting people from noise during the construction period which is a very limited period, but we are then going to expose them to the same sort of noise, lorry movements, on a permanent basis and that strikes me as being a bit of an oddity. I think there is insufficient reason to refuse this application outright.”

Councillors agreed an amendment to the conditions of approval which means no machinery or plant shall be operated, no process shall be carried out and no deliveries shall be taken, received or dispatched from Unit C - the building closest to nearby homes – 11pm and 7am 365 days a year.

Cllr Ken Rhatigan agreed to the plans and said: “This town has lost many jobs to places like Reading, to Green Park, and we need to be aware that we need to modernise our offering to the business sector to make sure that we have something that appeals to them.”

The application was approved with one abstention.