Reading plan decisions: flats approved, local listings added

A meeting of Reading Borough Council’s planning committee was held on Wednesday, December 1, to consider a number of applications.

The council also allowed Christmas Party events to be extended at a marquee in King’s Meadow, and approved window and brickworks to Katesgrove Primary School.

You can view tweets from the meeting in this thread here: 

Reading Borough Council's planning committee is in session to discuss a number of plans in the borough. You can watch the stream on Microsoft Teams back using this link #rdguk https://t.co/z74YccJ7g8

— James Aldridge (@jamesAjourno) December 1, 2021

You can view plans that have been decided by typing the planning references in brackets into the council’s planning website here: http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp

Home to be replaced with 10 flats in West Reading (app 210582)

18 Parkside Road in Southcote. Credit: Google Maps

18 Parkside Road will be demolished and replaced with a 10 home block of flats despite a similar plan for 12 homes being rejected after neighbours called it “a total eyesore”.

The developers went back to the drawing board, swapping a modern design for a more traditional house design.

Following the adjustments, the majority of the committee was satisfied that the changes that were made are acceptable.

Councillor Ellie Emberson (Labour, Minster) said: “This is vastly improved and much more in keeping with the local context.

“It’s also really important that we note the policy compliant affordable housing, which was not provided at the last application, that is very welcome.

“I do acknowledge the concerns raised by residents and appreciate, but I do not see a basis to refuse this.”

The street scene for the proposed plan for 18 Parkside Road, Reading. Credit: Colony Architects

All Labour councillors and Cllr Josh Williams (Green, Park) voted for it, with all three Conservative members voting against it.

The application was opposed by residents Chris Dodson and Mark Ashton.

Mr Ashton, who lives in a neighbouring home, said: “We can’t get over the fact that this thing’s going to be very very big next to our property. It’s really going to impact the privacy of our garden.”

Christmas events company wins date extension bid (app 211725)

Eventist Group won permission to extend dates for its Christmas season events in King’s Meadow.

The plan involves building a temporary marquee to host the events.

The company, trading as Best Parties Ever, is this year hosting a Roaring Twenties dinner and dancing show. 11 parties will be held at the site from December 3 to December 18.

You can view details and availability for the event in this link.

READ MORE: Reading Winter Wonderland given go ahead despite neighbour concerns

Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) noted the company had been running events there since 2004, with only a temporary break last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said:  “The event has become very well established, and since 2004, I doubt we’ve had more than a dozen complaints.”

Bizarrely, the date extension was granted even though there are less than 45 days left in the year, a point which was made by Cllr Williams during the meeting.

Works to windows and bricks at school approved (app 211433)

Katesgrove Primary School pictures showing windows in a poor state of repair. Credit Reading Borough Council

The council itself applied to conduct ‘urgent’ works to windows and bricks at Katesgrove Primary School.

Photos of the windows showed them to be in a poor state of repair.

Katesgrove Primary School is Grade II listed, dating back to 1873.

The works were approved unanimously by the committee.

New home to be built on garden in Emmer Green (app 210977)

The plans for the new three bedroom home at 65 Kiln Road, Emmer Green. Credit: J I Architects

Developers Siloam Construction won permission to build a three bedroom home on the garden of 65 Kiln Road, Emmer Green.

The plan involves building a one-and-a-half storey home fit with an open plan kitchen and living room and three toilets, with a new access road being built so two cars can be parked at the new home.

READ MORE: Fresh 223 home plan for Reading Golf Club and more planning news

Approval was given despite opposition from Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, who wrote in concerns about a precedent being set for other ‘backland development’ homes to be built.

All Labour councillors and Cllr Williams voted for it, with all three Conservative members voting against it.

Extension for Southcote home approved (app 211321)

The approved elevations for the extension of 6 Circuit Lane in Southcote. Credit: Reading Borough Council

The council itself applied to build an extension for the occupants of 6 Circuit Lane in Southcote.

This was approved unanimously, but does involve the loss of  15.4 metres of grass verge.

Attwells Drinking Fountain 

Attwells Drinking Fountain at the Thames Side Promenade in Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Attwells Drinking Fountain was installed in memory of Frank Attwells, who served as Mayor of Reading in 1892.

The fountain itself was unveiled in 1908 and was noted for its Victorian design features.

It was added to the local list during the meeting, giving it special protection from the council.

King’s Road Garden 

King's Road Garden to the east of Reading town centre. Credit: Reading Borough Council

The King’s Road Garden was also added to the local list.

Located opposite the old Huntley & Palmers factory and Prudential, the garden site was meant to have a social club built on it, but this never happened.

The garden was subsequently bought by the council in the 1940s.

The listing application particularly noted its wrought iron railings and gate, with black ‘HP’ discs on it, reflecting its association with the Huntley & Palmers factory.