The number of homes in a Reading Borough Council-run project has been reduced to allow for energy saving measures to be installed.
Back in March 2020, the council’s planning committee approved the council’s own plan to build 41 affordable homes over two apartment blocks on the site of the former Family Centre in North Street, off Great Knollys Street.
Earlier this month, the council’s planning committee approved plans to reduce the number of homes by four to 37 apartments, so that solar panels and air source heat pumps could be added to the development. Two one-bed and two two-bed units have been lost from Block B of the scheme.
The site now comprises 17 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom units, all available for affordable rent.
Recommending approval, planning officers said: “The proposals would result in a reduction of affordable housing units, which is a disbenefit of the scheme. This needs to be balanced against the opportunity to increase sustainability and energy benefits.
“It is considered that the benefits of increased sustainability energy generation and wider societal benefits would in this instance, outweigh the loss of four dwelling units.”
Officer Humphreys’ report also stated that the site in North Street has been used as a ‘surrogate site’ for affordable housing as no affordable homes were provided at the 335 apartment Thames Quarter development in Kings Meadow Road.
The council houses in North Street were secured using the Section 106 developer contributions from Thames Quarter.
The reduction in the affordable apartments was unanimously approved by the planning committee held on Wednesday, December 7.
Cllr Ellie Emberson (Labour, Coley) recused herself from voting as she is the lead councillor for housing.
