Reading plan to replace bungalow with three homes torpedoed

Finerain Developments had applied to demolish the bungalow in Downshire Square and replace it with three homes.

These would have been made up of a detached four-bed home and two semi-detached four-bed homes. 

However, the project proved unpopular with members of Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee, who voted to reject it.

Councillors argued that the new homes would be crammed into the footprint of the site, and neighbours raised fears that they could lose access to daylight. 

The project was unanimously refused by councillors in a meeting in July 2022. 

However, Finerain Developments launched an appeal to the government's planning inspectorate in an attempt to get the project approved. 

But the inspector appointed for the appeal sided with the council's decision. 

The inspector agreed that the development would fail to maintain or enhance the character and appearance of the Downshire Square Conservation Area, which the site falls inside.

The Conservation Area is characterised by period homes and standout buildings such as All Saints Church and the Florida Court apartments in Bath Road. 

The Downshire Square Conservation Area in Coley. (Image: Reading Borough Council)

The inspector also agreed that the development would replace the green and spacious character of the site with hardstanding both for the new homes and the six parking spaces that would have been provided. 

The decision by the inspector was made in May, with a report on the appeal being presented to the planning applications committee on Wednesday, July 24. 

Welcoming the result, councillor Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) said: "The inspector clearly noted that the conservation area and the way the proposed development was going to weigh in that conservation area was a real factor."

She also said developers need to ensure that housing schemes are not overbearing and are in an appropriate scale for the area.

Cllr Rowland said: "Understanding what Reading is, and what Reading's specialness is, is really important."

Finerain Developments also suffered a defeat when a fresh plan involving the part demolition and extension of the bungalow to create two semi-detached three-bedroom homes was also refused by the council last November. 

It was judged that the project would result in 'an over-intensive, awkward and contrived layout' that would also fail to maintain or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area. 

You can see the refused plans for the bungalow in Downshire Square using the reference numbers below: 

• 211416 - the plan for three four-bed homes, refused and dismissed on appeal in May 
• 230941 - demolition and extension plan to create two three-bed homes, refused on November 17, 2023.