Plans to demolish a house near Prospect Park and replace it with a three-storey building of a dozen flats have been refused.

The plans were submitted by Colony Developments to Reading Borough Council (RBC) and sought to demolish the detached house and annex on 18 Parkside Road and build 12 flats in its place.

Initially plans for 13 flats were submitted but this was reduced to 12 after more than a dozen neighbours raised concerns.

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More than 15 neighbours complained about the proposals, describing them as “out of keeping”, “alien”, “far too severe, stark and utilitarian looking” and a “total eyesore”.

Despite several changes to the proposals to address concerns, council officers rejected the plan, calling it “overdeveloped” and “harmful”.

Planning officers said: “The proposed design of the development due to its utilitarian appearance, bulk, height, massing and plot coverage would result in the site appearing overdeveloped and a discordant addition within an area which is predominantly of low-density suburban domestic character.

“The proposal would therefore appear as a harmful addition to the streetscene, and fails to maintain and enhance the overall character and appearance of the area”.

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They also said the development would be overbearing on neighbouring properties at 16 Parkside Road and 29 Westcote Road due to its size and the amount of overlooking windows.

The plans also included no on-site affordable housing.