The conversion of offices near Reading town centre into apartments has been rejected due to concerns over flooding.
Regents Gate in Crown Street, at the end of London Road, was previously occupied by Spire Healthcare.
The company used the three-storey building for administrative functions until it chose to vacate it, with operations continuing at Spire Dunedin Hospital in Bath Road.
After a marketing period, Regents Gate Ltd applied to convert it into 29 one and two-bed apartments.
This was submitted in a planning application to Reading Borough Council.
However, the project was rejected after planning officer Catrin Davies judged that the flats would put more residents at risk from surface water flooding, and the submitted details failed to prove that they would be safe.
While continued office use was judged acceptable, turning the building into flats a more ‘vulnerable use’ class given the long-term occupancies of future residents.
A submitted flood risk assessment stated: “Safe access and egress along Crown Street to the building would be possible even during future extreme flood conditions.”
However, officer Davies disagreed, stating that this suggestion was not supported by evidence.
She also criticised a ‘stay put’ approach that residents would be asked to follow if a flood did occur.
Officer Davies wrote: “A ‘stay put’ approach is not supported by the council as flood events last for several days and weeks and puts additional pressure on emergency services.”
Furthermore, no flood-resistant and resilient measures were incorporated into the plans.
An aspect of the project that the council did not object to was the possible impact on the highways, as the building comes with 31 spaces in an undercroft car park.
There were also no objections relating to noise disturbance or internal daylight.
The report states: “There are no objections to the development on the grounds of transport and highways, contamination, noise or natural light.
“However, the application introduces more vulnerable use in a site at risk of surface water flooding and it has not demonstrated that future residents would be safe from flood risk.
“The proposal failed to demonstrate that future residents would be safe from flood risk, therefore prior approval is required and refused.”
The plan was rejected on Tuesday, April 7.
You can view the refused application by typing reference PL/26/0232 into the council’s planning portal.
Separately, Spire Healthcare has celebrated its more than 15-year partnership with Reading FC.
The company helps the club by providing rapid diagnostics and advanced MRI scans.
Spire Healthcare also provides fast-track MRI access to the community, with appointments often available within 48 hours with a referral from a GP or physiotherapist, ensuring individuals and families across Reading benefit from the same level of care trusted by professional athletes.
