The council will decide whether to demolish a “fine” Edwardian house next week, after previously rejecting similar plans at the site.

Original plans for 10 apartments at 39 Brunswick Hill were rejected by both Reading Borough Council (RBC) and a planning inspector on appeal last year.

The latest application – for nine apartments – was deferred in July by the council’s Planning Applications committee so that new committee members could view the site.

Since July’s meeting two new letters of objection have been received by the council.

One resident said: “This is a very old and attractive building, one of the nicest on the street. It is a large house and could be redeveloped into flats without demolition of the structure.

Another said: “I live downhill from 39 Brunswick Hill at number 33 and the new building would seriously overlook my back garden.”

READ MORE: Reading Borough Council lead member highlights "importance" of increased allowances

Council officers have recommended the committee approve the latest application despite concern from local heritage organisations.

Reading Civic Society (RCS) and the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC) both criticised the proposal.

RCS chairman Richard Bennett said the loss of the “fine Edwardian house” is inappropriate and unimaginative.

He said: “It is in good condition. The owner has done some really good work redecorating it. It’s not a derelict property. It is really hard to understand.”

The building, which dates back 1906, was rejected for local listing by the council after a heritage consultant determined that it did not meet the architectural and historical criteria.

Evelyn Williams, chairman of Reading CAAC, has asked RBC to reconsider the local listing decision and said an extension would be more appropriate than demolition.

She said: “The property retains many original features which are worthy of a continued useful life.

“Whilst this application may address many of the reasons for refusal it still results in the loss of a heritage asset which could be sympathetically extended and retained in use.”

“As well as retaining a heritage asset, this would also be a more environmentally sustainable solution.”

The new application seeks to overcome the reasons for refusal given by the council last year.

RBC rejected the original application in March 2018 largely due to the impact the demolition and new building would have on the character and appearance of the area.

Planning inspector Patrick Whelan then rejected the developer’s appeal, concluding that the benefit of ten new flats would be outweighed by the cost of a lost heritage asset.