A “LANDMARK” seven-storey office block that could pump £25.4m into the economy was given unanimous support by councillors.

Two vacant buildings in the heart of the Slough trading estate dating back to the 1930s will be demolished for a large building that will host small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

SEGRO, the applicant, had their plans to erect an office block on 183-187 Liverpool Road approved at a Slough planning committee on Wednesday, December 15.

It will provide a total floor space of 26,253m² and a café on the ground floor fronting Buckingham Avenue adjacent to the reception.

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The second to fifth floors will comprise flexible light and general industrial workshops and studio units aimed at SMEs, while the sixth floor will comprise office floorspace that will have access to a rooftop landscaped terrace.

A ‘micro-forest’ a long Buckingham Avenue, A ‘green wall,’ and solar panels are also incorporated into the design.

There will be 210 car and van parking spaces, including eight disabled bays, 24 electric vehicle spaces, and four motorcycle parking spaces.

Planning officers called this a “landmark” office development in the trading estate.

Slough Observer: Cllrs unanimously approved the scheme Cllrs unanimously approved the scheme

SEGRO will also be making a £50,000 financial contribution towards the upgrade of the A4 Bath Road/Leigh Road Junction and a £50,000 investment towards the delivery of a central skills and training hub within the town centre to promote local start up business, skills, and training schemes for residents, enterprises, and public information campaigns.

At the meeting, it was heard the development will create up over 500 jobs as well as pump £25.4m into the economy and £880,000 in business rates per year.

Councillor Pavitar K. Mann (Lab: Britwell & Northborough), lead member for planning, said: “I welcome the redevelopment of this site. This is obviously a gateway site in terms of looking at the trading estate and is certainly an improvement of what’s there.”

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However, she expressed disappointment with the £50,000 contribution to the skills hub, which could be located in the Curve, saying it “didn’t sound like an awful lot”.

Planning officers say this investment is “reasonable” as a starting point to get the hub up and running. £25,000 will be used to set it up in the Curve and the other half will go towards advertising and PR.