Controversial plans to build homes on green space in Tilehurst are set to be rejected again by the council.

More than 50 residents have objected to the large six-home plan on land next to Thorpe House, Colliers Way, describing the plans as “greedy”, “unsuitable” and “unacceptable”.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) officers have also called for the plans to be rejected as they say it is overdevelopment.

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The proposal would see a large six-home terrace built with three bedrooms in each flat.

Sixteen Kirton Close, a bungalow which encloses the cul-de-sac, would be demolished and replaced with a roadway and three parking spaces.

One neighbour said the plans will cause “absolute chaos to all surrounding roads”.

The resident added: “To build on this small piece of land, in an already over-populated estate is ridiculous, makes no sense and goes against the wishes of the residents that like living here.”

Another said parking is “already at breaking point”.

Neighbours and council officers both say the plans will:

  • Alter the character of Kirton Close as it will no longer be a cul-del-sac
  • Destroy a valuable piece of green space used by young children
  • Make the popular footpath unsafe by allowing cars access cross it
  • Impact on privacy of neighbours

Council officers have also called the scale of the building “jarring”.

The green open space - which the developer says is private land - has recently been fenced off by the developer "to prevent fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour".

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Council officers say the development is open space and the loss of this space is not policy compliant but the developer says it will continue to fence off the area if the plans are refused.

Twenty-six Kirton Close neighbours have signed a petition opposing the plans, with another 21 people at Appleby Road putting forward their own petition against the proposals.

More than 50 people have written to the council stating their objections.

Third time lucky? Seems unlikely

Two previous plans were rejected at the site.

Plans from The Cardiff Property PLC to demolish 16 Kirton Close and build 18 flats were refused by Reading Borough Council (RBC) in 2017.

Revised proposals at the site from Thames Valley Retirement Homes (TVRH) reducing the number of flats to 14 were rejected by the council again in 2018, with a planning inspector also rejecting the developer’s appeal.

The latest plan  has been put forward by TVRH and will be voted on at tomorrow's/Wednesday’s (March 4) Planning Applications committee.