HP offices in Binfield could be turned into new data centre

That’s one of a number of interesting planning applications submitted to Bracknell Forest Council this week.

For full details of each plan, enter the planning reference number at planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

New church (21/00245/FUL)

The first floor of halls at Harmans Water Community Centre are set to be converted into a place of worship with community use.

The halls have been unused for seven years and are currently vacant.

The latest planning applications submitted to Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Victorious Assembly (BVA) group has proposed to move into this empty space to convert it into a church.

READ MORE: Fresh plan to build dozens of homes at Bracknell Town FC unveiled

One hall is proposed to be used for Sunday worship from 9am to 3pm and for community use from Monday to Saturday.

The second hall is proposed to be used by the BVA for seminars, conferences and more.

A statement from the BVA read: “It would result in the return of community, charitable and cultural facilities, and the associated vibrancy, to a site that has been vacant for many years.”

Data centre at former HP site (21/00239/FUL)

A new planning application has come in for the site formerly occupied by HP Enterprise on Cain Road in Binfield.

Last year an application to build a business park named ‘Network West’ at this site was submitted.

READ MORE: Indian takeaway rated in latest round of food hygiene inspections

A decision has still not been made on this proposal, which has been described as ‘speculative’ in the documents attached for the plan to build a data centre at the site.

The latest planning applications submitted to Bracknell Forest Council

The data centre will contain data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, a loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and a plant at roof level, as well as emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling areas, switchrooms and more.

According to planning documents, the proposed data centre will comprise networks of remote servers hosted to store, manage, and process data in place of local servers and personal computers.

They are used to support the provision of cloud computing services.

Multi-use games area in Winkfield Row (21/00260/FUL)

Lambrook School in Winkfield Row could soon get a new sports pitch if this new plan is approved.

Bosses at the school want to erect a multi-use games area with a netball court and car parking at the site.

The latest planning applications submitted to Bracknell Forest Council

READ MORE: Residents in social housing left with anxiety after lack of contact from landlords

An existing grassy area to the west of the school site will make way for the sports pitch should planning permission be granted.

A planning statement from the school read: “The MUGA is designed to serve predominantly as an upgraded facility that will accommodate a greater intensity of the sites existing use, and thereby stimulating higher levels of sport and physical activity amongst those associated with the school.”

The latest planning applications submitted to Bracknell Forest Council

It would be used throughout the week for school matches and PE classes and hired out to external groups during non-school times.

Like with all applications listed above, this plan is currently pending consideration from Bracknell Forest Council.