Plans to allow overnight deliveries at a new industrial site on the former Miles Aircraft factory in Headley Road East, Woodley, have been given the go‑ahead by a planning inspector.
The old factory — last used by Thermal Management Systems, which left in 2022 to consolidate its European operations — was demolished and replaced with five industrial buildings, creating 10 lettable units.
Wokingham Borough Council initially rejected the redevelopment over loss of heritage and concerns about increased HGV traffic, but the developer won an appeal at the planning inspectorate. The inspectorate originally imposed a condition banning operational deliveries between 11pm and 7am at units 9 and 10, which sit on Viscount Way opposite homes in Bakers Place.
The developer then applied to remove the restriction. The borough council later allowed overnight deliveries for unit 9 only, prompting a further appeal to permit deliveries at unit 10 as well.
Woodley Town Council’s planning and community committee objected strongly, saying: “We have considered this application and wish to object to the proposals based on the unacceptable impact it will have on neighbouring properties during the hours of 11pm to 7am.
“Properties in neighbouring roads already have to cope with high levels of vehicle movements during the night due to the industrial site, and increased levels is unneighbourly, increases noise pollution, and provides an unacceptable impact.”
On 26 January the appointed planning inspector sided with the developer. The decision notice states: “The condition is not reasonable or necessary in the interests of mitigating noise disturbance impacts on residents of nearby properties.”
The report to Woodley Town Council noted the inspectorate had reviewed an expert witness statement from the appellant and found projected noise levels would be lower than peak noise events, with neighbouring properties shielded from the area of unloading, meaning vehicle movements are less likely to cause an unacceptable impact.
The appeal decision was reported to the planning and community committee on 3 February.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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