®Planning appeal decision
Woodside & Wayside House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 9BE
the erection of a care home (C2 use class) comprising 68 bed spaces with associated parking following demolition of existing dwellings
- Authority
- Wokingham Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- community-institutional · Major retail and services
- Inspector
- O'Connor H
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including impact on trees
- The living conditions of existing occupiers at Brambles and Barholm having regard to privacy, outlook and noise
- The living conditions of future residents of the proposal having regard to the provision of outdoor space
- Biodiversity
- If harm arises, whether this is outweighed by other material considerations
What decided it
The permanent harm to character and appearance and to the living conditions of existing residents significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of providing specialist care home accommodation, even when the tilted balance was applied.
The significant positive weight attributed to the provision of 68 bed specialist care home accommodation in an accessible location, economic benefits and employment, was outweighed by the full weight given to the permanent harm to character and appearance and the full weight given to the conflict with design and amenity policies, resulting in adverse impacts that significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits
Framework references: 11, 57, 62, 126, 130, 174
Plan policies cited: CP1, CP2, CP3, CC03, CC06, TB06, TB09, TB12, TB21, TB23
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.