A SCIENCE park could see a new research centre that examines animals, plants, humans, and micro-organisms built if Royal Borough councillors give the go-ahead.

Planners from the Silwood Park Science Park in Buckhurst Road, Ascot, want to erect a three-storey ‘life science building’ with a café to “kickstart” the regeneration of the park and “act as an anchor” to the cluster of adjacent smaller refurbished research units.

It is proposed to split the 5,260 sqm building into offices and laboratory space to assist its science and research professions.

If the scheme, which was brought forward by developer NSS IV (Real Estate) LLP, is approved, this will involve demolishing the existing business centre and developing on the green belt.

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To meet future parking demand, the developer is proposing to increase its current 211 parking by 13 more spaces. 45 of the bays will be provided with electric vehicle charging points.

The Ascot and Sunninghill parish council objected to the plans and had ‘serious concerns’ the building’s increased height will affect the green belt’s openness and the small rise in car parking spaces is “totally inadequate” given the site has “poor” public transport networks, resulting in the increase of employees driving there.

Despite these concerns, Royal Borough planning officers recommended approval of the scheme, believing the “significant benefit” of the direct and indirect employment opportunities and its education provision outweighs the harm.

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They also found its impact on the highway, its appearance on the character of the area, and its parking provision acceptable.

While the scheme is proposed to be built on green belt land, its proposal to retain and enhance the landscaping and trees as well as incorporate environmentally friendly elements in the building, such as heat pumps, makes this development appropriate.

Councillors sitting on the Windsor and Ascot development management panel will decide the application’s fate on Wednesday, March 2.