September 2016
Christchurch Conservation Area
Waterloo Meadows
The consultation on Reading’s new local plan will end at 5pm on Wednesday 14 June.
14 June deadline to comment on Reading’s New Local Plan
Housing
New Local Plan for Reading
Reading Borough Council (RBC) are consulting on the draft local plan which sets out the planning framework for Reading until 2036. The plan includes general policies on planning principles such as sustainability, green space and heritage as well as area plans.
Katesgrove, the urban village
By John Dearing.
Sherman Road
West Hill
Early in 1980 I wanted to move from Maidenhead to Reading, where houses were cheaper. I contacted an estate agent and one Saturday in May I collected details of four properties, three of which were in Katesgrove. After the usual laborious process of house purchase, I moved to Sherman Road in October 1980. By 2015 more than half my life had been spent at this address.
Marina, pub and hotel proposed near Waterloo Meadows
Western Kennet path, from Rose Kiln Lane bridge
Western Kennet path, near Rose Kiln Lane
Eastern Coley Meadows by the Kennet
Reading Borough Council (RBC) have proposed to enter into a development agreement with H20 Urban and the Canal and River Trust to build a 100 berth marina, hotel and pub on the A33 side of the Kennet opposite Waterloo Meadows, according to the Katesgrove Labour group.
Katesgrove councillor Rose Williams attends launch of Phoebe Cusden House
Councillors Richard Davies, Rachel Eden, Rose Williams and the mayor, Councillor Mohammed Ayub
Katesgrove councillor Rose Williams was among the attendees at the launch event for the opening of Phoebe Cusden House on 31 March. The supported living accommodation at Whitley Rise, Basingstoke Road is owned and managed by Reading Borough Council (RBC).
Special needs accommodation approved on Northumberland Avenue
Reading Borough Council (RBC) have approved a development to provide accommodation for people with special needs, including learning disabilities or autism, on the corner of Northumberland Avenue and Warwick Road.
Management of HMOs – Planning Committee to consider changes
Planning officers were asked at the October Planning Applications committee to consider ways in which the better management of HMOs could be ensured. On Wednesday 8 February the committee will consider a report from planning officers.
Woodley Arms developers raise second planning appeal
Developers who wish to demolish the Woodley Arms and replace it by a block of student flats have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against Reading Borough Council’s refusal to allow planning permission. This is the second appeal in relation to development on this site.
A year in planning
The apparently relentless drive to convert the area’s pubs, offices and vacant lots into flats and HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) continued apace this year. Some proposals, including the demolition of the After Dark Club and the Woodley Arms, were rejected, whilst others, such as the new residential care home near the Rising Sun Arts Centre, will proceed. The saving of the South Street Arts Centre was a major success in keeping Katesgrove at the front of Reading’s arts scene.
Proposal to replace After Dark Club with 10 apartments rejected
The application to demolish Katesgrove’s After Dark Club and replace it with 10 apartments was rejected at Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee on Wednesday 7 December.
Keeping snug as a bug in a rug
Whitley Pump with snow
Wintry skies at Waterloo Meadows
The Tank with frost
Draughts, rising fuel costs, no heating or inefficient heating systems; what is it that makes us shiver our way through the winter up on Katesgrove Hill?
Get help with heating this winter
Reading residents who are on a low income and over 60 years old, or have very young children, or a disability or health problem could qualify for help from the council’s Winter Watch scheme.
Katesgrove Councillor Sophia James asks question about housing waiting list
Sophia James, one of Katesgrove’s councillors and chair of the housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee, asked a question at Wednesday 18 October’s council meeting about the council’s housing register.
35 Christchurch Road at the Planning Applications Committee
1897
Christchurch Conservation Area
Plans to convert 35 Christchurch Road from 12 HMO units (house in multiple occupation) to 11 self-contained flats were accepted at the planning applications committee on 12 October.
Management of HMOs under the spotlight
Baker Street view of the old Civic Centre Demolition
In 1638 Charles I gave a charter to Reading [ref 1] which included measures to prevent building small properties and the subdivision of homes into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
A walk around Christchurch Conservation Area – Final stop
Finally, the last leg of the tour brings us back to Whitley Street and the Whitley Pump.
A walk around Christchurch Conservation Area – Fourth Stop
Christchurch Vicarage (209) and Somerleaze (210) – Extract from 1877 OS Map
On both corners of Vicarage Road with Christchurch Road are two of the oldest buildings in the conservation area, both of which are now used by Abbey Junior School.
ACORN Reading launches renters’ union
Demonstration in Bristol about letting agent practices
Anticuts protest in Bristol
ACORN Reading will be holding a #RentersRising event at the Wycliffe Baptist Church, 233 Kings Rd, RG1 4LS on Saturday 15 October to start building a tenants’ rights organisation.
A walk around Christchurch Conservation Area – Third Stop
Alec Guinness, Petula Clark and Veronica Turleigh filming at Hillingdon in 1951. Image courtesy of Reading Museum, Reading Chronicle Collection
The Hillingdon Prince Hotel is a brick manufacturer’s showreel; a magnificent display of grey, red and moulded brickwork with winged dragons and other finials on the roof.
A walk around Christchurch Conservation Area – First Stop
This walk around the Christchurch Conservation Area starts at the top of Highgrove Street and Christchurch Road from where we can take in the view north into Reading down Highgrove Street. The Blade had not been built when this conservation area was first defined in 1987.
