Demolition of 29 garages and development of 46 new dwelling units, including the provision of affordable homes, provided in a mixture of houses and apartments (1 bed / 2 bed / 3 bed / 4 bed) in blocks of between 2.5 to 4 storeys, and the provision of bicycle parking spaces, car parking spaces and public realm works

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.

An update report was tabled at the meeting which summarised additional responses to the public consultation and submissions from the Coley Park Residents’ Group, with commentary from officers, and set out a further response from Reading Buses.  The report also provided clarification regarding garage arrangements and an update on tree matters.  The update report also had appended written representations from objectors and the applicant’s agent who had requested to speak at the meeting.  The recommendation had been amended to add a provision relating to a tree planting scheme and amend the wording of the provision relating to offer of garages in the proposed unilateral undertaking legal agreement.  Alterations to the proposed condition relating to the demolition and construction method statement, and amendments to the informative relating to tree planting, were also recommended.

Additional changes to the proposed legal agreement, relating to garages and access to Courage Park, were proposed and agreed at the meeting.  It was also agreed to add a bat activity survey to be carried out in the summer months to the proposed ecological enhancements condition and to consult ward councillors on the Construction Method Statement.

Objectors Paul Krykant and Karen Makepeace, Sarah Eley representing the applicant, Ward Councillors Ellie Emberson, Paul Gittings and Liz Terry, and Lead Councillor for Housing John Ennis, attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this application.  Mark Donaldson, Rob Lowe, Graham Sutton and Ruth Heyes, also representing the applicant, were in attendance and answered questions from the Committee.

Resolved –

(1)           That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to grant full planning permission for application 200122/REG3, subject to completion of a unilateral undertaking by 25 September 2020 (unless a later date be agreed by the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the original report, as amended by the update report, and further amended to clarify that a ‘one-for-one’ replacement for each existing garage would be offered, and with the further inclusion of a requirement to improve the pedestrian access route to Courage Park;

(2)           That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission;

(3)           That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended in the original report and amended by the updated report, with the condition relating to ecological enhancements amended to add the requirement for a bat survey to be carried out in the summer months;

(4)           That the Construction Method Statement be approved in consultation with ward councillors.