‘CRAZY’ plans to demolish houses in Caversham and replace them with two blocks of retirement homes have been withdrawn after neighbours complained it would leave them “swamped and surrounded”.
Seven neighbours submitted objections to the plans for 60 homes at 205-219 Henley Road and the developer chose to withdraw the application this week, after receiving feedback from Reading Borough Council (RBC) officers.
Plans were submitted by Henley Road Land Ltd in June 2021, which included demolishing houses at 205-213 Henley Road and building two retirement blocks at 205-219 Henley Road.
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Nigel and Diane Roberts, of 225 Henley Road, said: “This building is going to be five stories high and will dwarf our properties. This is a Caversham suburb not Reading town centre.
“We are constantly told how man is destroying the planet and we have all seen the effects of global warming.
“How can pouring tons of concrete in the ground and pushing wildlife further into small areas help our planet?
“We worry what we are doing for our children and grandchildren and what will be left for future generations.
“We invite any members of the committee to come and stand in our garden and see first-hand the effect this building will have on our lives, instead of just looking at the plans.
“Then perhaps they will think twice about voting for these crazy plans and destroying more nature.”
Planning permission was previously granted for part of this site (land to the rear of 205- 219 Henley Road) for a development of nine residential houses, but the new plan would supersede that if approved.
Ian Turner, of 219 Henley Road, sold part of his rear garden to the developers but said he would not have sold it “if there had been any hint of a block development of any kind and especially one the size and density of this proposal”.
Another neighbour, Patricia Taylor, of 217 Henley Road, who said the plans would leave properties “swamped and surrounded”, sold part of her land to the developer on the understanding nine houses would be built.
She said she had supported the previous applications but now felt “misled”.
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And Patricia Bliss, of 215 Henley Road, said: “I am both shocked and appalled by the size and ambitions of the new plans. This is not in any way, shape, or form what was envisaged for this plot of land.”
Other concerns raised include the loss of mature trees, impact on neighbour privacy, potential flooding, increased traffic and exacerbation of “already excessive” noise levels.
The now-withdrawn plans would have contained two blocks with 37 and 23 homes each – a mix of one and two-bed flats – and 51 car parking spaces.
The agent for developer Henley Road Ltd was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
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