A factory building in Woodley that was used to make aircraft during the Battle of Britain during the Second World War could still be demolished and replaced with five modern industrial units.

The Adwest building formerly Miles Aircraft factory is a stand out feature of Headley Road East, Woodley.

The site has a storied history, as it was used to build nearly 6,000 aircraft in the 1930s and 40s.

Initially serving as a construction site for civilian aircraft, the factory was used to build training aircraft for the Royal Airforce both before and during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War.

It was later used as a biro pen production factory and most recently was occupied by Thermal Management Solutions (TMS), which produces thermostats for cars.

But TMS announced it would be pulling out of Woodley to move production to Europe in 2022.

READ MORE: Company that occupies historic Woodley factory pulls production out of UK

Developers HE2 Reading 1 GP had applied to demolish the building and replace it five modern industrial units, but its plan was refused by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee.

The plan was refused after a petition calling for the building to be retained received 4,866 signatures on Change.org.

Ultimately, the planning committee refused the development because the demolition of the buildings on the site would remove ‘any physical link to their former aeronautical use’.

Therefore it was judged that the benefit of the modern industrial units would not outweigh the harm caused by losing the existing buildings.

Now HE2 Reading 1 GP has appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate to get the committee’s decision overturned.

READ MORE: Hundreds hit out at move to fortnightly bin collections in Woodley and Reading suburbs

The appeal has been highlighted by councillor Keith Baker (Conservative, Coronation), who has urged neighbours to comment on the appeal and call for it to be dismissed.

When asked whether he’d like to see the Adwest building stay, cllr Baker said: “Of course, because it’s the last remaining piece of architecture relating to the airfield from World War Two.

“One of the reasons why it was refused was its historical basis.”

You can find the plan for the demolition and new buildings by typing reference 213106 into the borough council’s planning portal.

Reading Chronicle: What the buildings that would replace the Adwest building in Woodley would have looked like if built. Credit: PRG GroupWhat the buildings that would replace the Adwest building in Woodley would have looked like if built. Credit: PRG Group

In order to comment on the appeal, you will need to use reference APP/X0360/W/22/3306963 on the government planning inspectorate website to comment, or by post to Sara Burke, The Planning Inspectorate, Room , Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

The deadline for representations is March 20.

Form Design Group, planning agents for the developers, argued the new units would provide substantial benefits, including the more efficient use of the site, removal of outdated commercial buildings with limited scope for re-occupation and increased employment benefits.

Meanwhile, the agents also argued the Adwest building and others on the site have ‘low significance’ as heritage assets.