RESIDENTS have been showing their discontent over plans to redevelop parts of the airfield site in Woodley.

A planning application was submitted to the Wokingham Borough Council recently, detailing plans to demolish the Adwest site, on Headley Road East, Woodley, and replace the site with new industrial buildings.

ALSO READ: People with Covid mistakenly given all-clear at PCR testing site

Part of this site is an art deco building dating back to the 1930s, which had links to the Miles Aircraft Company. It was also home to the Miles Martin Pen Company, the first factory in the UK to create biro pens.

Other concerns included larger industrial buildings backing on to housing, light pollution, additional traffic concerns, and noise pollution.

One resident wrote, commenting on the latest planning application: "I strongly object to yet more of Woodley's heritage being erased.

Reading Chronicle:

"This building is so important to keep, at least the facade, surely we don't need anymore industrial units for any use after building so many houses. This building has such a wonderful architectural look - why knock it down just to replace it with ugly boxes?

"I feel we should use the area as an educational area for more of our young people to develop a sense of pride in our lovely town. Woodley has lost so much of its identity already, this could be a great chance to make a beautiful building so much more."

ALSO READ: Travellers set up camp in Reading car park

A poll launched on Facebook, asking residents wether they thought the site should be redeveloped, revealed that 78 votes wanted the current site to be preserved, versus five votes in favour of the development plans.

Public consultation on the application ends on October 29. Visit planning.wokingham.gov.uk/FastWebPL/detail.asp?AltRef=213106&ApplicationNumber=213106 for more details, and to write a comment.