I've just come from a residents' meeting on Allcroft Road in Redlands.
Kirsten, Glenn and I have got to know residents pretty well in this area over the years and I always enjoy catching up with them to talk about local issues.
It's just a shame it usually happens when a flawed planning application has been submitted!
I had called the meeting having picked up a number of concerns from constituents about a new planning application that has been submitted for the redevelopment of 46 Redlands Road.
The plan is for 10 flats and associated parking on the site of Abadair House which is currently operated as a guest house.
Any redevelopment of this site could impact on residents living on Redlands Road, Allcroft Road and the surounding area as it is right on the junction.
This site may look appealing to developers but is not an easy one to re-develop - it is next to a tree with a Tree Preservaion Order on it, on a slope and near a busy junction. It's also on the edge of several Conservation areas.
We should know what the problems with this site are by now: local residents, my Lib Dem colleagues and I successfully campaigned against an earlier planning application which was submitted for redevelopment of this site by Hicks Developments in early 2008.
30 letters of objection were submitted by local residents - feelings ran high.
That application was subsequently rejected by the Council's Planning Applications Committee (PAC).
Hicks Developments attempted to get the PAC’s decision overturned but a Planning Inspector later dismissed their appeal application in September 2008.
Anyway, back to tonight's meeting and the latest planning application for this site.
Residents from across the area around Redlands Road attended to voice their concerns.
People who spoke at the meeting are very worried about the impact that this development could have on the character of the area.
46 Redlands Road is not in a Conservation Area but it is close to three important Conservation areas.
To the southeast lies The Mount Conservation area, the Redlands Conservation area lies to the southwest and not far away lies the Kendrick Road Conservation area.
I would like to see this bit of Redlands Road included in a Conservation Area as I think it is worth preserving for the sake of the coherence of the area as a whole - the fact that it isn't is an anomaly and I will be making this point again to officers.
The houses round about No 46 Redlands Road are mainly suburban in style. So the proposed mix of 1 and 2 bed flats planned for this development is out of keeping with the local area. T
here are virtually no similar flatted developments on Allcroft Road where the impact will mainly be felt.
Other concerns that were raised by residents tonight were about overlooking as well as the impact the development could have on existing parking problems and road safety.
We discussed the fact that Information submitted by the developer to accompany this application refers to out of date (2001) census data.
Any visitor to the area will tell you that there are no parking spaces to be found on Allcroft Road or Redlands Road most times of the day.
Access to the development would be on to a busy road and right next to a bus stop. There are a number of schools in the area, as well as a major hospital. School-children, parents and visitors to the Hospital already find it very difficult to cross the road.
Dumping more flats here would exacerbate existing problems and make matters worse for residents already living in the area.
A new pedestrian access to the rear of the development also sparked fears about increasing vulnerability to burglary etc.
It is disappointing that despite the obvious flaws that were identified in the previous application by a planning inspector, officers, residents and councillors the latest developer seems keen to repeat some of the mistakes.
The application is an improvement on the last one, but not by much.
This application follows some planning battles we have recently fought in the ward in Kendrick Road and Alexandra Road.
We are keen to support local residents in their campaign to preserve and enhance their neighbourhoods.
Several residents expressed dismay at the meeting that yet again we are seeing a planning application for 1 and 2 bed flats.
Aside from the fact these 'executive style' developments don't blend in well in parts of Redlands, there is a strong feeling locally that there is an oversupply of this type of housing in central Reading and I am inclined to agree.
How you can help
If you are a local resident who is concerned about the impact this proposal could have on the local area I would like to encourage you to email your comments about this application to Reading Borough Council’s Planning Department: justin.turvey@reading.gov.uk or via the Council's Public Access for Planning website.
I have sought clarification from officers about the deadline for public comments about this application and I have been told that the official deadline is 4 November but that RBC will accept public comments up to 19 November.
Officers anticipate this application will be determined at the 2 December meeting of the Planning Applications Committee. I have written to the Chair of the PAC to ask if another site visit can be carried out to allow Members of the Committee to get a better feel for the site.
I will post more updates about this campaign as and when we have any news to report.
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