THE planning inspectorate is expected to reveal its decision on plans to turn a retail park in Reading town centre into a development of 600 homes.
The Reading Station shopping park on Vastern Road, currently home to stores such as The Range, Aldi and Majestic Wines, could be replaced with apartments in a scheme proposed by Aviva Life & Pensions UK.
There would still be space for retail units and offices as a computer-generated artist’s impression shows four buildings of 17 and 18 storeys.
A decision on the plan was not made due to timetabling issues between the council and the developers. A target decision date of July 2021 was not met, and Aviva to the government planning inspectorate in December of that year, citing the council’s non-determination as its reason.
The planning inspectorate has said a decision is due in November.
Its letter to Reading Borough Council’s planning department states: “The secretary of state is considering the report of the inspector … who held a public local inquiry which opened on April 26, 2022, into the above planning appeal.
“You were previously informed that a decision on this case would be issued on or before September 20, 2023.
“Further time is required … Therefore, in the exercise of the power conferred on him by paragraph 6(2) of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Secretary of State hereby gives notice that he has varied the timetable previously set and he will now issue his decision on or before 21 November 2023.
“We aim to issue a decision as quickly as possible.”
The plan proved unpopular with councillors who discussed it at a special planning committee meeting held on February 15, last year.
At the time, Cllr John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) said the scheme was ‘not good planning’ with Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) accusing Aviva of failing to answer councillors’ questions.
The planning inspectorate that determines appeals falls within the government department of housing, levelling up and communities, headed by secretary of state Michael Gove, Conservative MP for Surrey Heath.
The application is available to view on Reading Borough Council’s planning website under reference 200328. The appeal can be seen on the planning inspectorate website using reference APP/E0345/W/21/3289748.
