A showdown is set over a plan for new homes in Caversham as it has been hit with objections from neighbours raising fears about access and the loss of green space.
Private development company Hicks Homes has applied to build four new homes on land between two residential streets in Caversham Heights.
The project would see a four-bed house and three three-bed homes built between Atterbury Gardens and Richmond Road.
The development would be accessed from Atterbury Gardens, which is currently secured by a gate, creating a cul-de-sac.
The plan has been hit with 19 objections from neighbours raising fears of access problems and the impact the loss of the former garden space could have on wildlife.
The Caversham and District Residents Association (CADRA) has objected to it, stating emergency vehicles would be unable to access the site, and bin collection would also be ‘unacceptable’ and lead to bins being deposited in Woodford Close.
There is also concern about the loss of green space. The 0.16 hectare site used to serve as gardens for homes in Richmond Road, with neighbours raising worries that the project will lead to a loss of green space and habitat for the ‘various animals’ that visit the site.
The project is due to be decided by Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee.
Although the construction of four homes is treated as a minor application, the plan has been listed for the committee to make a decision by councillor Isobel Ballsdon (Conservative, Caversham Heights), who echoed community objections to the plan.
The challenges posed by the application have been assessed by planning officer Anthony Scoles.
He disagreed with the objectors. Although he admitted Atterbury Gardens is an unadopted road, he judged that it remains suitable for access by cars, delivery drivers and waste and emergency vehicles.
Ultimately, Mr Scoles has recommended project be approved subject to a legal agreement being reached between Hicks Homes and the council.
This would involve a payment of £134,750 to pay for off-site affordable housing, which would be 10 per cent of the gross development value.
The project would provide two spaces for each house, with one of these spaces at each property being an electric vehicle charging point.
Mr Scoles concluded: “Having gone through this process, officers consider that the proposed development would provide additional family-sized dwellings on a windfall site would provide a significant benefit.”
He acknowledged that concern lingered around the loss of green space, therefore Hicks Homes would have to contribute to biodiversity net gain off-site if the plan is approved.
The project is due to be decided at the council’s planning applications committee meeting on Wednesday, May 28.
You can view the application by typing reference PL/24/1659 into the council’s planning portal.
