Fire HQ in Reading could be replaced with 54 homes

Dee Road Fire Station was closed in 2021, with the crew moving to Theale Fire Station.

The site served as the headquarters of the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service before it moved to Newsham Court in Calcot in October 2014.

A developer has submitted plans to the council to knock down the buildings and make way for 54 new homes.

The site was bought by developer Bellway Homes in May 2022, which initially put forward plans to build 63 homes on the site. The scheme has now been reduced to 54 homes.

Of those, the developers are proposing to build 13 one-bed, seven two-bed and three three-bed flats, and 23 three-bedroom and eight four-bedroom houses.

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The application has been recommended for conditional approval by planning officer Ethne Humphreys.

Of the 54 homes, 30 per cent will be affordable, which would be made up of four one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats and six of the three-bedroom homes.

Officer Humphreys judged that the development would meet the town’s housing needs, particularly regarding affordable housing and the larger three and four bedroom homes proposed.

A CGI of the plan to replace Dee Road Fire Station with 54 homes. Credit: Dha Architecture

Concern has been raised over parking and the impact of the development on neighbours.

A neighbour in Eldart Close said: “I fail to see how any of the amendments advised of with the planning application have taken into consideration mine and my neighbours original objections.

“Parking is already an issue in this area with multiple homes owning two plus cars, with van work and vehicles.

“This development will not help with this issue.

“The security and privacy of mine and my neighbours homes will be directly affected by being overlooked, having a direct negative impact on resale value.”

If approved, 62 car parking spaces would be provided, with 31 being allocated to the houses and 25 allocated to the 23 flats proposed.

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The redevelopment will be voted on at the council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, May 31.

You can view the application by typing reference 221130 into the council’s planning portal.

Officer Humphreys has recommended approval subject to a section 106 legal agreement which would involve a £70,000 contribution to form a controlled pedestrian crossing at neighbouring Spey Road.

If no agreement is made, she has recommended that the council’s assistant director for planning be given the power to refuse it.

Although Theale fire station opened as a replacement for Dee Road and Pangbourne fire stations in 2021, the station at Theale was officially opened last October.