Reading driving test centre could be replaced with 16 flats

Last year, developers Maxika Homes submitted a plan to replace the driving test centre at 220 Elgar Road South in Katesgrove with one four-storey building containing 16 flats.

However, the application was refused by Reading Borough Council’s planning department on December 6, 2021.

The plan was refused for a number of reasons, with it being criticised for its  ‘poor and insecure choice of layout’, lack of information about affordable housing and having ‘substandard’ cycle storage which would be ‘at risk of break-ins’.

The cycle store would have been built next to the entrance of the new building and have 10 places.

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The application was also criticised for being too large compared with neighbouring buildings.

The apartment block would have been three-and-a-half storeys tall, with five flats on the ground floor, six on the first floor, five on the second floor and two on the third floor.

A report on the application recommending refusal was written by planning officer Claire Ringwood.

A design for the building that could replace Reading Driving Centre. Credit: Sawkings Harper Architect

For its part, the developer’s planning agents argued the current test centre fits ‘uncomfortably’ with surrounding buildings, being single-storey, whereas neighbouring buildings being two to three storeys.

The agents added: “This issue is exacerbated by the flat roof form of the existing building against the prevailing pitched roof forms found on the western side of Elgar Road.

“The combination of these factors mean that the existing building looks disproportionate in the street scene and disrupts the general character of the area.”

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The appeal, which was begun on May 27, means the development could still go ahead.

No documents as part of the appeal have been submitted yet.

If the refusal is overturned, Maxika Homes would be allowed to build the 16 apartments, made up of eight one-beds, seven two-beds and one three-bedroom flat.

The site layout for the plan to replace Reading Driving Centre with 18 apartments. Credit: Sawkings Harper Architects

It would have 10 normal parking spaces, an electric vehicle charging space and a disabled bay.

You can view the application by typing reference 210526 into the council’s planning portal.

The Reading driving test centre is currently in use, with fears it could close stretching back to 2019.

Indeed, the centre was due to close in May 2020, but it reopened in the Summer of that year and has been in use since.

However, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) would have to find new premises in Reading if the plan is approved on appeal.

Other nearby driving centres are located in Newbury, Farnborough, Basingstoke and Slough.