Proposal:                   Reading crematorium redevelopment phase 2A and associated works for a new staff area, Funeral Director’s Collection facilities, installation of a plant room and works to improve courtyard accessibility including retaining walls, level adjustments, new ramps and staircases.

Recommendation:   Application Permitted

Reading crematorium redevelopment phase 2A and associated works for a new staff area, Funeral Director’s collection facilities, installation of a plant room and works to improve courtyard accessibility including retaining walls, level adjustments, new ramps and staircases.

The Committee considered a report on the above application.

A verbal update was provided at the meeting confirming that the Environmental Agency (EA) had responded with no objections to the proposals. The EA had requested to be notified of the decision within two weeks of it being made and had asked for an informative to note the requirement for a cemetery to operate with an environmental permit.

The Committee was also verbally informed that RBC Ecology had no objections to the application, subject to the approval of appropriate landscaping and lighting conditions. RBC Ecology had confirmed that they were satisfied with the proposed existing landscaping scheme condition, as detailed in the report. At the meeting two additional conditions relating to lighting were recommended to: (i) require warm tone lighting for Type D exterior lights and, (ii) regulate the hours of use to limit the usage of lighting to the opening hours of the cemetery.

It was reported at the meeting that the following additional documents and product specifications had been added to the list of documents considered for approval and had been made available on the Council’s website:

• Materials details 20_12_2025
• HC_Biodiversity Net Gain - Mitigation Strategy-02
• BRICK- Mantis Handmade The Bespoke Brick Company

(As received 20 December 2025)

• D and EX1 Fittings-4367-RHB-XX-GF-DR-E-3103-T1
• D and EX1 Fittings-HC_Material-Schedule of Luminaires

(As received 7 January 2026)

Comments were received and considered.

Resolved –

That, pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992, planning permission for application PL/25/1679 (REG3/FUL) be authorised, subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the report, the addition of an informative to note the requirement for the cemetery to operate with an environmental permit, and the addition of two additional conditions relating to lighting to: (i) require warm tone lighting for Type D exterior lights and, (ii) regulate the hours of use by limiting the usage of lighting to the opening hours of the cemetery.