Water Tower Store, Land Between 54-54A, Norcot Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6BU

conversion of existing Water Tower store to a dwelling house with new doors replacing existing and associated uses

Authority: Reading Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Aqbal M

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character of the area and the setting and significance of the Water Tower a Grade II Listed Building
Whether the proposal would offer acceptable living accommodation for the occupiers of the proposed dwelling
The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of the occupiers of the adjacent Water Tower
Whether the proposal makes adequate provision for affordable housing

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the heritage significance of the listed Water Tower, combined with unacceptable living conditions for both the proposed dwelling occupants and existing neighbours, was not outweighed by the limited public benefits of providing a single one-bedroom dwelling.

Framework references: 195, 202

Plan policies cited: Policy EN1, Policy CC7, Policy EN6, Policy H10, Policy CC8, Policy H3, Policy CC9

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

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