Home damage fears raised for Reading 209 flats plan

Developer Berkeley Homes recently won approval for its revised project to build 209 homes in eight apartment blocks at the old SSE power station site just south of the River Thames.

But the project has been blasted by Sebouh Sarafian, a neighbour who lives next to the site in Lynmouth Road.

He has accused Berkeley Homes of not considering the “little guys” as the tallest buildings in the development would be 11 storeys tall.

Mr Sarafian said: “I attended the meeting when it was approved, and things went the from bad to worse for the local residents in the area.

“Berkeley Homes got their own way again despite all the objections from local residents. 

“They got their way when the initial plans were approved by the government inspector on appeal, despite the objections of the council and local residents.”

READ MORE: Plan for 209 flats at Reading riverside approved despite council backlash 

Revised plans had to be submitted by the developer due to fire safety regulations requiring buildings over 18-metres tall to have two staircases.

In the revision, Berkeley Homes added another storey to one of the approved blocks closest to Lynmouth Road.

A CGI of what the replacement development of 209 flats at the Old Power Station between the River Thames and Vastern Road in Reading could look like. Credit: Berkeley Homes

Mr Sarafian said: “Now we will have even less to no privacy in our back gardens, and less light.

“During the winter months we will not see the sun at all, and during the summer months we will see the sun after 11am.”

He has raised concerns that work on the development could rock the foundations of his terraced homes in Lynmouth Road, claiming his house ‘shook’ the last time work was conducted on the site.

A video Mr Sarafian has taken shows preliminary excavation work taking place, which is audible from his home. More footage shows vibrations from the work reflected in a water bucket he set up in his second-storey bathroom.

The former SSE site at 55 Vastern Road, Reading, which is set for 209 homes contained within eight apartments blocks. Credit: Sebouh Sarafian

He is now encouraging fellow neighbours to take a Berkeley Homes offer to have their homes surveyed for free ahead of construction.

In an email to neighbours, he said: “I would advise you to take up this offer because if you don’t, and your property is damaged, you may not be able to make a claim against Berkeley Homes.”

A letter by the company offering pre-construction surveys from a third party surveyor paid for by the developer has recently been sent to neighbours.

Anyone in Lynmouth Road who wants to have a survey done should email Berkeley’s assistant development manager at henry.meredith@berkeleygroup.co.uk.

Explaining the reason for its letter, a Berkeley spokesperson said: “We offer precondition surveys as standard to properties around our sites as part of our commitment to considerate construction and will undertake boundary monitoring to ensure any noise and vibrations are within limits set by British Standards, as well as sequencing and managing our works to minimise local impacts.

“We take community consultation very seriously and will continue to engage with neighbours and the wider local community to ensure they are well informed about our works and have the opportunity to raise any concerns.

“Bringing this derelict brownfield site back into use will deliver over 200 low carbon homes in a sustainable town centre location, as-well-as new and improved pedestrian and cycle routes, green open spaces and will help to restore nature with a biodiversity net gain of more than 180 per cent.”