A landmark decision has been made on the redevelopment of the site once occupied by Berkshire County Council's offices at Shire Hall, Shinfield Park.
Shire Hall, a 1970s brutalist complex near the Shinfield Arms roundabout, was a familiar sight for thousands of drivers. The building was completely demolished late last year.
The site owners, Wrenbridge and Fiera Real Estate, applied to replace the offices with five logistical warehouse buildings. Early-stage plans were first revealed in August 2024 and were later submitted to Wokingham Borough Council, the planning authority for Shinfield.
Demolition was approved in February last year, months before a decision on the new warehouses. The scheme also includes the demolition of two unoccupied bungalows.
The project was approved following an assessment by a council planning officer, who said:
“Whilst the proposed development would result in the loss of two residential dwellings contrary to both local and national policy as well as reduce the amount of employment floorspace on site, the proposal would make efficient use of previously developed land and provide notable industrial floorspace in a sustainable location, of which there is demonstrable need within the borough, supporting thriving industry.
“Use of the site for flexible commercial purposes reflects a pragmatic approach to best and most efficiently utilising previously developed land in the context of modern demand, creating an outlet to support the borough’s valuable knowledge clusters within a close proximity.
“The application site is further within settlement limits on an existing employment site and would decrease trip generation over the lawful office use, capitalising on the site’s location adjoining a major motorway and strategic transport network.
“The planning officer also mentioned the complexities of retaining the Shire Hall complex as it stood.”
The building had closed when the previous occupant, Wood Plc, moved to Green Park in August 2024.
The planning officer also wrote: “It is noted that the refurbishment of the existing building to bring it to modern office standards would be unviable, nor demanded at this time.
“Failure to provide a modern response to the market’s existing needs would render the existing site underutilised and subject to anti-social behaviour.
“Instead, this application would provide modern adaptable commercial buildings and secure significant local employment, contribute to the borough’s growing economy and work towards strengthening the borough’s knowledge cluster.”
The project was officially granted in October 2025, and the developers have submitted detailed planning applications this year.
You can view the approved development by typing reference 250415 into Wokingham Council’s planning portal.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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