Plan for new self-built family home in Reading approved

The site opposite Wantage Hall in Upper Redlands Road, East Reading, has been dormant for years, being made up of unused garden space.

The land has had a complicated planning history.

Although a plan for a new home was approved in December 2021, the site was subsequently sold off following a marketing exercise by Haslams in April 2022.

The current owner had different ideas for the home. While a fresh plan for the site was submitted, this was rejected in May last year.

The plan was revised this year, replacing red brick with white stone render and a slate roof.

The design for the new self-built family home in Upper Redlands Road, Reading.(Image: Ascot Design)

Concerns about whether the new design for the home properly fits into the area were raised.

Councillor Will Cross (Labour, Redlands), who represents the area, listed the project to be decided by fellow councillors on the planning applications committee.

Speaking at the planning meeting, he said: “I do consider that this has elements of being an unsympathetic pastiche design that is less suitable for the area, although it may be suitable for other areas.”

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He also pointed out that the site falls in the Redlands conservation area, and while the previously approved design was more modern, it was felt that it fitted better into the street scene.

Cllr Cross said: “My position is not that no housing should be built on this site, it is an important site for potential housing use, we would be in a different circumstance if it was a choice between having this development or nothing, but planning permission was already granted for this site, so that option was made available.”

He then urged fellow councillors to consider whether the design of the proposed home would have an adverse impact on the character of the conservation area.

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Cllr Richard Davies (Labour, Thames) welcomed the prospect of a new family home being built, and noted that no public objections had been received.

He said: “We want people to be able to live their lives here, and grow up with their families here, there is a need for family homes.

“The size of this development is not particularly different from the rest of the road.”

Ultimately, the project was unanimously approved by the planning applications committee on Wednesday, September 10.

You can view the granted application by typing reference PL/25/0620 into the council’s planning portal.