A vacant dental surgery and a building behind it could become 21 flats if plans are approved this week.

Developer Rose Hill Commercial Estates want to partly demolish the façade of 43 London Street, carry out internal works and demolish the two-storey 43a London Street building behind it.

Three flats would be built at 43 London Street with another 18 built in the new “mews style block” at 43a London Street.

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The plans have been criticised by three neighbours and the owner of a neighbouring property.

Stuart Parker, who lives at 1 London Court, said: “It seems this is horrifically out of place. It is drastically bigger and imposing on all other properties in the area.

“It clearly obstructs light for other properties and the light report seems to reject other properties right to windows they already have.

“The end section is also so tall it will throw shade on the whole row of flats. The building of this would also be horrendously disruptive.”

Number 43 London Street is sandwiched between two taller properties either side, both of which are Grade II Listed.

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Though not listed, the building (together with Nos. 45 to 47) is designated as a Building of Townscape Merit.

Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) Planning Applications committee will vote on the plans on Wednesday evening (February 5), with officers recommending the scheme be approved. 

Case officer Brian Conlon said the plans at 43 & 43A London Street “preserve the setting” of the listed buildings and “enhance the character and appearance of the Market Place/London Street conservation area”.

He said the overall design approach is “considered distinctive and pleasing, adding to local interest” and will provide “much needed visual uplift to a car park which has recognised problems with drug abuse and anti-social behaviour”.

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Edward Richardson, who lives at 99 London Street, disagreed.

He said the proximity to buildings on London Court will negatively impact the character of the surrounding area and will be overbearing on London Court.

Andrew Hamilton, whose company Hamilton Property Investments Ltd owns 4 London Court, said the company “generally welcomes the redevelopment of the site” but raised concerns about the impact of the upper floor on the privacy of 4 London Court apartments among other issues.

Number 43 was last used as a dental surgery and has been vacant since 2016.