ROUND UP APRIL 2026
It’s time again for the CADRA AGM and our Spring talk. Our theme is Caversham 1926: Our Bridge, our River and the Royal Show. As Caversham Bridge reaches its centenary, our speakers will take you back to 1926 to look at the formal opening of the new bridge in June, the importance of our river and the Royal Show held in July 1926 at Caversham Park. This is an open meeting, and all are welcome. Tuesday 19th May 7pm for a 7:30pm start at Caversham Baptist Church - AGM Documents and more about the talk.
PLANNING
Land West of Kidmore End Road – Appeal Update
Once again, the main news is the appeal against the decision to reject an application for a 70-home development on the former golf course land, whose refusal will be defended by South Oxfordshire. Reading Borough Council is not contesting that permission be granted for an access road onto Emmer Green Drive but is seeking compensation towards traffic measures associated with the increased traffic.
CADRA will be at the inquiry as a Rule 6 Participant, which allows us to present our case to the inspector and to question witnesses. This gives us the same status as South Oxfordshire District Council, Reading Borough Council and Kidmore End Parish Council, as well as the appellant. We have submitted our Case Statement along with documents that provide evidence to support the assertions we make. You can read our Case Statement and those of SODC, RBC, KEPC and view all our evidence documents at: CADRA Documents.
Other Significant Applications
There are two applications this month. Hemdean House School (PL/26/0138) where Churchill Living is seeking permission to provide 51 new retirement apartments on the games field, convert both the School House into 10 open market apartments and the gate lodge into a single dwelling. The application includes communal facilities for residents and an additional access road onto the site. CADRA has significant concerns and will be commenting on: heritage considerations, landscaping and the loss of trees, biodiversity and environmental impacts, also traffic issues, and the implications for local educational facilities. A Community Petition has been started to keep the PlayDay Nursery open. If you would like more information about the petition or have concerns about the nursery closing could you please let us know?
And at Caversham House and Park, Planning Condition 3 (PL/26/0311) is about Beechcroft’s construction method statement. CADRA has raised concerns about construction traffic management and how the listed house and park’s heritage and biodiversity will be protected.
Additional Applications
In Thames Ward at 2 Mill Green (PL/26/0252) there is a retrospective application for a single storey rear extension and change of use to a small HMO. The semidetached house was locally listed because its exterior is an unspoiled example of the 1930’s Moderne Style. CADRA has objected, requesting that the extension be removed and that HMO use not be permitted.
20 Church Road (PL/26/0334) is in the Conservation Area, where permission is sought to install a 7kW electric vehicle charging point pillar for the parking bay by the Rector’s Office, the building attached to the side of The Rectory.
Seat Garage, 236 Peppard Road, application (PL/26/0332) seeks consent to replace the existing four fascia signs and the pylon sign with illuminated ones. The light levels are considered acceptable under Institute of Lighting Professionals guidance for sensitive locations, such as this.
CADRA previously objected to the waterfront restaurant extension at The Persian Palace at 2 Bridge Street, and the appeals relating to it have been decided. There was an appeal against an enforcement order by Reading Borough Council (RBC) to remove the extension and against their refusal of a modified extension. The Decisions were that the existing extension can remain, but subject to conditions that include a satisfactory Flood Risk Plan and a detailed materials list. We remain concerned that the flood risk from the extension is real and there is a need for gaps in the floor boards to allow a place for flood water to flow through.
CLEARING UP THE RIVER BANKS
While talking about the river you may have noticed the huge amount of work that the Environment Agency (EA) is currently doing in terms of removing wrecked and abandoned boats. For many years there have been several unlicensed boats in various states of disrepair, and you may have noticed the sunken ones between Caversham and Reading Bridge, which are slowly leaking chemicals into our river. We are delighted to see that the EA is removing these boats.
RAISING THE ROOF
St Peter’s Church in Caversham has launched a ‘Raising the Roof’ campaign to fund much needed repairs. This will include its annual summer fair which will be held on 4th July. We will bring your details of the fund-raising activities during the next couple of months and are looking forward to attending the fair.
THE MOUNT
Reading Conservation Area Advisory Team would like your help by looking at its proposal for The Mount and filling in their short survey, which will take only one minute to complete. This helps these volunteers to maintain and protect the heritage of Reading. The link to the survey is on The Mount Information Page.
ROMAN BRITAIN
Reading Museum has secured funding for a project about Roman Britain. The Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund grant will allow the stories of Roman Britain and its connections to Reading to be shared with residents for years to come. ‘Why is CADRA so excited about this?’ I hear you ask. Well, the press release reports that The Caversham Font found near Dean’s Farm will form part of the display. It is a rare Roman lead tank decorated with the Chi‑Rho symbol, one of the earliest known Christian monograms. Watch this space!
NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY FORUMS
Thank you to the residents who raised concerns about recent fires at Mapledurham Playing Fields. These incidents are not isolated, similar fires have been reported in Bugs Bottom and other locations. The Fire Brigade has been proactive: they spoke with us ahead of the North Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum (NRSNF) meeting and will be raising the issue with the joint Fire Brigade-Police Problem‑solving Committee.
During the recent warm spell, we saw young people entering the river. Hot weather combined with cold water (under 15°C) can be dangerous. CADRA has asked RBC and the Fire Brigade to strengthen their Cold Water Shock messaging as we move into the summer. NRSNF has long campaigned for Throw Lines, and we are pleased to report that RBC will be installing ten additional Throw Line Boards shortly. Please contact us if you would like more information on Cold Water Shock, Float to Live campaigns, or Throw Line training.
We were also updated on local policing. Sergeant Abhilasha Bajwa will focus on the inner region (town centre), the north Reading Wards and the river. Betsy Palmer, who had been standing in for James Tribe, will oversee some of the other outer Reading areas. Thus, Reading will benefit from having an additional senior member of policing staff.
Following the move of Reading police headquarters to Atlantic House, a new public‑facing police office will open in the town centre later this year.
RBC and Thames Valley Police are working together on new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to address anti‑social e‑bike and scooter riding, drinking in public places, and dog fouling. The Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum is also looking at reintroducing Environmental Visual Audits, with support from the NRSNF.
The next NRSNF meeting will be on Monday 1 June in Caversham Heights Ward. We will confirm the venue once finalised.
EMMER GREEN PRECINCT
Residents using the Emmer Green Car Park at Budgens will have noticed a change in the parking restrictions at the car park. From 6pm in the evening to 8am in the morning the maximum stay is three hours. Between 8am in the morning and 6pm in the evening the maximum stay is two hours. We note that blue badge holders are not exempt from these terms.
AND FINALLY, don’t forget to put our AGM on the 19th May in your diary. We look forward to seeing you!