A DECISION to allow 600 flats to be built on a retail park in Reading has been criticised by Reading East MP Matt Rodda.
Last week, Lee Rowley, the minister for housing, granted permission for the development on Vastern Road. It will see units housing businesses such as Aldi, The Range and a discount store knocked down and replaced with housing.
It will be next to a similar development on the former Royal Mail sorting office.
The proposals had been rejected by Reading Borough Council and the planning inspector, but developers took their appeal to the secretary of state, who ruled in their favour.
Mr Rowley felt the height of the buildings would be satisfactory, and was satisfied the amount of open space proposed would be “adequate”, while there would be “less than substantial harm” to the Grade II listed buildings of the station and the town hall, the Market Place and London Street Conservation Area.
Mr Rowley has given six weeks for a challenge to be made, which has to go via the High Court. This means it would have to be made by the end of April/this month.
Mr Rodda has since written to Mr Rowley calling for a review of the decision.
“The site on Vastern Road is out of keeping with the traditional Victorian architecture of the area, which comprises several traditional terraced streets, shops, the Moderation Pub and EP Collier Primary School,” he wrote.
“If the development goes ahead there will be a significant difference between the scale and massing of development on one side of the road and the other and between the site and the other side of Caversham Road, which forms its western boundary.”
He asked if there was a right to appeal or review the decision.
“I realise this is an unusual request, however, there are currently a very large number of large new flats being built in Reading, leading to some substantial changes,” he added.
Mr Rowley has been contacted for a comment.
