TWO industrial buildings in the heart of the Slough Trading Estate could be demolished in favour of a six-storey office block.

SEGRO, the applicants, gave councillors of the planning committee a sneak peek into their plans to redevelop 183-187 Liverpool Road into a “landmark” building.

In their pre-application plans, they envisage demolishing the two vacant buildings, which date back to the 1930s, for a six-storey building, compromising of offices on the sixth floor and flexible light industrial space on the second to the fifth floor.

A goods lift will be provided for deliveries and the ground floor will contain a café.

Jessica Evans, planning consultant, said start-up businesses and small to medium enterprises will take up the spaces.

READ MORE: Slough councillors block 61 town centre flats

A total of 170 car parking spaces and 46 cycling spaces are proposed along with 12 van and four motorcycle parking spaces as well.

Of all parking spaces, 10 per cent will be fitted with plug-in vehicle charging points.

According to Ms Evans, there is a shortage of land in the Slough Trading Estate, which is the largest trading estate in Europe, resulting in existing brownfield sites being redeveloped.

It was heard sustainability will be a “major” part of the scheme where SEGRO plans to add a “micro-forest”, a “green wall”, and solar panels into the design.

A CGI what the building could look like

A CGI what the building could look like

The lead member for planning, councillor Pavitar K. Mann (Lab: Britwell and Northborough), said: “Modernising elements of the trading estate and meeting the changing needs is to be welcomed.

“I think it looks like an iconic, standalone building.”

Councillor Roger Davis (Lab: Cippenham Green) said this is the plan SEGRO should’ve been doing this in the first place, claiming they were the ones knocking down the small industrial blocks at the trading estate to build data centres and office blocks over the past 10 years.

READ MORE: Maidenhead strip club wins sexual entertainment venue license bid

He said: “It’s SEGRO who lost more jobs than anyone else. A massive data centre employs six people.

“I think this is a great idea [the plans], but I’m afraid this is something you should’ve done to begin with, I’m afraid.”

Ms Evans replied: “All I can say is the scheme will deliver significant economic benefit, including a wide range of indirect, direct construction and operational employment opportunities.

“This is the benefit you are looking for that the scheme will deliver.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted next month.