A former car park site has been granted permission to be used for parking for another 12 months ahead of future redevelopment.

The former Octagon on Brunel Way closed as a car park earlier this year, but has now been given the green light by Slough Borough Council to return to this use for another year.

The site is then expected to be repurposed to house a seven-storey office block as per planning permission granted in 2021.

Featuring a maximum capacity of 124 cars, the site’s use as a car park is set to end on December 1, 2024, according to conditions set by planning officers.

The planning statement reads: “The key arguments are that the site plays a useful purpose of supporting usage of the train station and particularly the Elizabeth line and the local vicinity since the recovery from the Covid pandemic.

“It also supports local business in Slough, whilst the Council Transport vision is implemented - namely new Park and Ride sites and the regeneration of the TVU site to create a new multi-storey car park serving the area.”

The car park’s Brunel Way site sits very close to Slough railway station.

After the 12-month temporary use is completed, it is set to see an office block installed that is expected to provide nearly 20,000 square feet of office space along with café and retail space on the ground floor.

The application for the temporary car park noted that since the previous consent for this was given, the Elizabeth line has opened, the London Ultra Low Emission Zone has expanded, a phasing out of petrol and diesel cars has been announced and the pandemic has changed working patterns.

The planning statement reads: “None of these are easy fixes and require patience and time and it’s not in the best interests of the communities that use towns and cities to travel or work to not offer alternatives until plans are completed.

“The car park on Brunel Way is an example of that and will benefit the area and help the Council retain goodwill and customers in Slough whilst the Master planning for the Heart of Slough and Transport Vision is delivered.”