Plans to convert a Grade II listed terrace into flats were rejected to preserve Reading’s heritage.
The terrace is Grade II listed and was built around 1840. The building has architectural merit due to its facade and brick features.
The building has four entrances in total. The house’s address is 29 Christchurch Road, while the flats share the remaining three addresses.
Agaram wanted to add rear extensions and improve the building. They wanted more space for twelve flats.
A design agent said the flats were badly sized and ill-proportioned. He meant the one and two-bedroom flats.
The Council planning department refused the plan in February of last year.
A planning officer, Ethne Humphreys, made the decision. She felt the extensions were inappropriate and wouldn’t fit the area’s style.
Agaram disagreed and appealed the decision. They went to the government’s planning inspectorate.
A planning agent from Momentum saw benefits, stating the project would restore the building. He claimed it’d improve the flats.
The inspector, A Tucker, agreed with the council. Modifications harmed the historic layout and would hurt the building’s character. The area would suffer too.
Karen Rowland, a councillor, expressed her pleasure. She stated the building holds great importance and protects Reading’s heritage.
She urged that developers must value listed buildings. They shouldn’t just see them as expansion chances; their priority is to protect heritage first.
You can find the refused plans online using references PL/22/1806 and PL/22/1807. Search them on the council’s planning portal.