PERMISSION has finally been granted to build a five-storey office block in Basing View despite work to demolish the previous building starting almost four years ago.

Norden House was demolished in July 2020, to be replaced by Neon, a development of 45,000 square foot of Grade A office space in the heart of the Basing View business district.

It was purchased by the borough council in 2018, with the view of redeveloping it with funding from Enterprise M3, which has labelled Basingstoke as a growth area.

But despite the council telling the Gazette it aimed for the first occupiers to move in by 2022, the site remains undeveloped. 

READ MORE: Neon Basingstoke still to be developed as site lays empty

Basingstoke Gazette: A drawing of the proposed design

Now, nearly four years later, approval has been granted for the 0.8 hectares site for a five-storey office building providing 5,277 square metres of office floor space.

The accommodation will comprise an open plan office, with the central core providing stair and lift access alongside toilets. 

According to the application it has "been designed to meet the requirements of modern office occupiers while ensuring future flexibility to respond to evolving business needs". 

A multi-storey car park will also provide 128 car parking spaces, including disabled car parking and five electric vehicle charging points, alongside cycle and motorcycle parking and waste storage facilities.

The planning application, prepared by BDP - an architectural services company on behalf of the council - states: "The proposals will maximise the development potential of the site through the delivery of high quality office accommodation that responds to contemporary occupier requirements while providing a distinct new gateway."

As the landowner, the council has invested £2.3 million to kick start the regeneration of the business park and significant investment has already been secured, including a £50 million Network Rail regional operating and national training centre.

SEE ALSO: Norden House is demolished to make way for smart new office block

The application's summary reads: "The proposed development will contribute towards a range of local economic policy objectives by maximising the development potential of the site.

"This will be achieved through the creation of high quality office accommodation that responds to contemporary occupier requirements while providing a distinct new gateway to BVBP [Basing View Business Park] that showcases the business district as a dynamic and modern business location."

A spokesperson for the council added: "A planning application for Norden House was first submitted in November 2019 for the construction of a five storey office building and a multi-storey car park (application 19/03040/FUL). A separate application for the demolition of the original building was approved on 23 April 2020 (application 20/00855/DEM). 

"The construction application was assessed and as part of the final planning permission a section 106 agreement was required. It covered matters such as improvements to the pedestrian and cycling network, highway works and a secured travel plan.

"A legal agreement is normal  for an application such as this and can take some time to negotiate and agree with the relevant parties.

"Once the agreement was finalised, the planning permission was issued on Monday 25 March 2024."

The full application can be found on the council's website using the application reference 19/03040/FUL.