The Reading developers who have won or lost plans on appeal

If a homeowner or developer does not get their way when submitting plans to the council, they have the option of appealing to the Government planning inspectorate.

If an appeal is successful, the proposed development can go ahead, a notable example being a successful appeal to build 209 homes at the former SSE site in Vastern Road, Reading town centre.

READ MORE: Developer wins appeal for 209 homes at Reading SSE site

Recently, planning inspectors have had a track record of dismissing appeals, but one landlord in East Reading was successfully able to conduct internal works on a home he rents out as a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

Below are the most recent results of appeals that inspectors have decided on.

You can view the applications by typing the references in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Four bedroom home appeal dismissed (211667)

The built home in Emmer Green, where a landowner lost their appeal to build it. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Landowner Kenan Mursal appealed against the council’s decision for the construction of a four-bedroom home on the rear garden of 49 Kiln Road, Emmer Green.

Although Mr Mursal had approval on appeal to build a two-storey four-bed home on the site, construction went ahead that did not meet the specifications allowed in the appeal decision, therefore planning officer Nathalie Weekes rejected it.

Additionally, the house is not designated as affordable.

Mr Mursal appealed against this rejection, but Government planning inspector Helen Davies found in the council’s favour, stating the house does not provide affordable housing and a legal agreement between Mr Mursal and the council had not been reached.

Certificate of lawfulness for  HMO granted (191663)

24 Donnington Gardens, Reading, a small four person home of multiple occupation (HMO). Credit: Google Maps

Here, landlord Sunny Magnat applied for a certificate of lawfulness to conduct works on a four bed HMO he owns at 24 Donnington Gardens.

His application for the certificate was rejected by officer Connie Davis who argued Mr Magnat had not provided sufficient evidence that the home’s use as a HMO is established.

But  inspector Graham Self ruled in Mr Magnat’s favour, allowing work to be undertaken.

Conversion of flat into commercial use dismissed (211658)

0 Church Street Caversham, where an owner unsuccessfully applied to convert a ground floor flat into a space for commercial use. Credit: Google Maps

Landlord Dr Lakshmi Kanthan was unsuccessful in his appeal against the refusal to convert a two bedroom flat in at 40 Church Street Caversham into commercial space.

Officer Tom Hughes judged the loss of the flat would be unacceptable in the context of a housing shortage in the borough.

Inspector Helen Davies agreed with officer Hughes, stating the loss of the home would be “unjustified.”

Appeal against refusal of 5G mast in Oxford Road dismissed (210597)

The proposed location for the 5G mast near Lidl in Oxford Road, Reading, which was rejected and dismissed on appeal. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Hutchison UK, the company that owns 3G mobile, failed in its bid to build a 5G mast near the McDonalds and Lidl in Oxford Road.

Hutchison’s application was rejected by planning officer David Brett, who stated the location did not comply with national and local guidance on the placement of telecoms masts, and would be detrimental to the appearance of the area.

The company appealed, but inspector Phillip Major dismissed it, arguing Hutchison’s claims that alternative locations for the mast were unviable were “sketchy at best”.