Erection of new building containing 9 no. apartments with parking at rear following demolition of existing buildings.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting, which gave details of further objections received, information on affordable housing and a proposed additional condition.  The recommendation had been amended accordingly.  It was reported at the meeting that colour drawings of the proposed development had been received and these were shown at the meeting.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Objectors Jessica Clough, Joel Davis and Evelyn Williams, and the applicant’s agent Neil Davis, attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this application.

Resolved –

That, on balance, the application be refused for the following reasons:

1.       The proposal would result in the loss of a Non-designated Heritage Asset that makes a valuable contribution to the street scene of Brunswick Hill. The development would result in the loss of original historical architectural features and introduce a new development which is out of keeping with the historic character of the street. The proposal does not therefore respond positively to the local context or sufficiently justify the loss of a non-designated Heritage Asset contrary to policies CS7 (Design and the Public Realm) and CS33 (Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment) of the Reading Borough Core Strategy (2008, as altered 2015).

2.       The proposal would result in the introduction of 9 flats in a purpose built single building into an area predominantly characterised by individual family houses set in spacious plots. The scale and type of development is considered to respond insensitively to the immediate street scene and pattern of development by introducing flats into what is an area predominantly characterised by individual houses. This is contrary to policies CS7 (Design and the Public Realm) of the Reading Borough Core Strategy (2008, as altered 2015).

3.                 In the absence of a completed Section 106 legal agreement/unilateral undertaking, to provide a deferred affordable housing contribution mechanism and to provide for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to amend parking restrictions in the Controlled Parking Zone on Brunswick Hill to allow the creation of a vehicular access, the proposal is contrary to policies CS9 (Infrastructure, Services, Resources and Amenities) of the Reading Borough Core Strategy (2008, as altered 2015) and policies DM3 (Infrastructure Planning), DM6 (Affordable Housing) and DM12 (Access, Traffic and Highway-Related Matters) of the Reading Borough LDF Site and Detailed Policies Document (2012, as altered 2015).