Published: Thursday, 15th October, 2009 10:00am

Elvian plans rejected

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PLANS for a new school, racquet club and 95 homes on school playing fields have been rejected.

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) had hoped to redevelop the site of The Elvian School in Southcote, formerly Presentation College, but 28 neighbours wrote protest letters and submitted a 79-name petition objecting to increased traffic and the loss of open space.

Ward councillor John Ennis spoke against the "massive" scheme at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday last week, saying that for the Southcote area it was "bigger than Station Hill".

Councillors voted against the scheme, which would have involved demolishing Victorian mansions Rotherfield Grange and Oakford Hall, and Cllr Ennis said afterwards: "I'm very pleased for the residents of Southcote who contacted me in droves, concerned about this application.

"It was ill-thought out and with no consideration for the residents and I'm pleased that the planners have seen the light and refused it."

But a statement from The Elvian said: "The school was acquired by the charity in 2004, with the intention of a complete re-build to enhance the facilities and education provision available for the benefit of pupils in the Reading area.

"The current school buildings are more than 40-years-old, and despite interim investment to maintain them, they are no longer suitable for modern education.

"The charity's trustee body and management team will meet to discuss the way forward. Parents of pupils at the school and staff are being informed of the decision."

A comment on The Chronicle website from reader Lorie added: "How sad this proposal has been rejected and how sad the school happens to be in a Labour controlled area.

"Everyone would benefit from this newly-built school and all it has to offer would appeal to all age groups."