Reading apartment plans to go before committee

Plans to bring forward a trio of residential blocks in Reading and breathe life into an “underused brownfield site” look set to take a step forward. The proposals are a revised version of a scheme which was refused and subsequently dismissed at appeal.Irongate Property (Reading) is behind the plans, which concern a site currently in use as a data storage facility with roof deck car park above.The building is “utilitarian in appearance”.Lined up is demolishing the majority of the structures on the site, retaining some of the frame and erecting three buildings comprising 46 residential units.Building one would be four two-storey homes which face south onto Upper Crown Street, building two would be a four-storey building containing flats behind building one, and building three would be five storeys on the western boundary.Between them, they would comprise 46 apartments, of which 14 would be affordable and 32 would be market.A report drawn up ahead of Reading Council’s planning committee meeting on 4 October noted that the proposal is “very similar to a scheme” which was refused under planning and dismissed at appeal”.”The applicant has addressed the inspector’s reason for dismissing the appeal, and although officers had concerns regarding the layout and design of the scheme, the inspector was satisfied that the proposals would be acceptable.”The inspector’s decision is a significant material consideration in this case and must be given due weight.”It added: “The proposal would successfully redevelop a previously developed site adjacent to the town centre which is currently underused. It would provide market housing, affordable housing and retain the existing parking spaces on site.”The proposals would have an appropriate design, ensure that there would be no unacceptable impact on neighbouring properties and provide suitable accommodation for future residents. The proposal would have no adverse transport impacts, be acceptable in terms of ecology, biodiversity and sustainability.”The application is therefore recommended to you for approval.”