A push to end the amount of poor quality flats being created in Reading has been substantially curbed in a move slammed as ‘unjust’.
Certain plans that involve the creation of homes can be approved by default through permitted development rights.
These rights allow houses to be converted into flats as homes of multiple occupation (HMO), and the conversion of offices into apartments as well.
Reading Borough Council did have a rule which curbed these permitted development rights in a large swathe of the town. But now that area has been substantially limited.
The news has been met with frustration by the council’s Labour administration with a top councillor calling the news “disappointing” and “hugely unjust”.
The rule is called an Article 4 Direction, which allows a council to remove permitted development rights to protect the amenity of an area.
READ MORE: Reading move to crack down on landlords turning family houses into flats
The council’s Article 4 Direction previously covered a majority of the town centre, areas around and including Basingstoke Road in Whitley, Oxford Road and Portman Road.
But now it has been limited to just 21 per cent of the previous area.
The direction now applies only to patches of the town centre, Whitley, and commercial and district centres to the west and east, following a decision by Michael Gove, the secretary of state for housing and communities.
The Article 4 Direction was created over a year ago at a council policy committee in October last year, with the direction coming into effect on November 15, 2022.
But Mr Gove always had the right to change or cancel it according to the law, which he did on Tuesday, October 10.
Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley) lead councillor for planning and assets, has blasted the changes.
Cllr Leng said: “While it’s fair to say confirmation of this major modification by the Secretary of State was not unexpected, given our knowledge of the ongoing negotiation with government, that’s not to say it is not hugely disappointing.
“Reading residents will know first-hand the detrimental impact poorly converted bedsits and one-bedroom flats have on local communities.
“They are often crammed into completely unsuitable locations and the poor people who are forced to live in them have to contend with disturbance, noise and poor air quality because of where they are located.
“For the Secretary of State to further modify the Article 4 Direction to specifically exclude areas which were justified by poor air quality and or noise is hugely unjust and has effectively diluted down a local planning policy introduced by a local council doing its best to protect the local communities and residents it is responsible for.”
READ MORE: Neighbours hit out at conversion of homes into flats in family-friendly street
The Article 4 Direction as adjusted by Mr Gove came into force on Friday, November 3.
The council administration has stated that permitted development rights have cost the town nearly 600 new affordable homes at least £3.5 million in off-site contributions to affordable housing and around £4 million in developer contributions since implementation in 2013.
Members of the council’s policy committee are set to note the adjustments made at a meeting on Wednesday, December 13.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel