Plan to replace Reading offices with 120 flats rejected

Development company Venta Propco 1 was hoping to replace Eaton Court with three buildings containing a total of 120 apartments.

Eaton Court, located at 112 Oxford Road near the town centre, had previously served as a Centre for Health and Disability Assessments for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), before the site was vacated in 2022.

The developer's project for Eaton Court was rejected at a council meeting.

Evelyn Williams from the Conservation Area Advisory Committee, spoke against the project, arguing that it would harm the conservation area that covers Castle Hill, Russell Street and Oxford Road.

It was also argued the project would negatively impact the surrounding area, particularly the music venues The Face Bar and The Butler, and the neighbouring Royal Meteorological Society building, which is Grade II listed.

The Grade II listed Royal Meteorological Society building (right) next to Eaton Court along Oxford Road in Reading. (Image: Squire and Partners)

Councillor Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) called the heritage implications 'unacceptable'.

She said: "Even though we need to bring this forward, and even though this is promising well-needed housing in that area, and even though the Local Plan stipulates that we need to get this housing in there, this is not the right answer.

"We cannot forsake the heritage of this conservation area for this kind of answer."

Cllr John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) stressed the importance of ensuring that future occupants are shielded from noise, blaming poor mitigation measures as a cause for noise complaints that have led to some venues shutting down, with the After Dark club in London Street being a prime example.  

He said: "There have been developments around historic music venues and then the complaints come in, and that venue goes.

"I wouldn't want to see that, personally."

An area of substantial development: Eton Court, Reading, is seen in number 2. Credit: Anomaly

Furthermore, cllr Doug Cresswell (Green, Katesgrove) argued the project lacked detail on the impact noise from the venues would have on future occupants.

David Walters, speaking on behalf of the developers, replied that they had 'full knowledge' of the importance of The Face Bar and The Butler.

READ MORE: Plan for flats at the back of Butler pub near town centre rejected

The project also proved unpopular as it failed to meet the council's target of 30 per cent affordable housing.

Of the 120 build-to-rent apartments applied for, 108 would have been at market rate, made up of 49 one-bed flats, 10 studio apartments, 44 two-bed and five three-bed flats.

A further 12 flats (10 per cent) would have been affordable, made up of six one-bed and five two-bed flats and a three-bedroom apartment.

A CGI of the replacement apartments for Eaton Court at 112 Oxford Road, Reading. (Image: Squire & Partners)

Speaking for the developers, Mr Walters argued building costs had gone 'out of control', with the cost of delivering the project increasing by more than a third, meaning the delivery of more affordable flats would have been economically unviable.

Ultimately, the project was refused by Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee on Wednesday, June 26.

You can view the rejected project by typing reference 210639 into the council's planning portal.