WHAT AND WHEN APPEAR
Embedded Files
KIDMORE ROAD SINK HOLE
CADRA members will be pleased to note that Kidmore Road has finally reopened, following over a year of disruption caused by the sinkhole. We are sure residents are grateful to those who actively worked with Thames Water and RBC to get it sorted and keep them updated.
ON THE BUSES
With the reopening of Kidmore Road, the no. 22 bus has returned to its original route. Reading Buses has extended its £1.50 short-hop fare to include Caversham Heights on the 22 route up to the 28th February. We urge residents to support the service by using it as much as possible.
SURLEY ROW CONSERVATION AREA
Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC) is an excellent group responsible for appraising conservation areas across the town, with whom CADRA has worked closely on our two conservation areas. The Surley Row Conservation Area Appraisal is now being updated and we would love to hear from residents of Surley Row who are interested in helping.
CAVERSHAM BRIDGE NEWSPAPER
We work closely with this wonderful local community newspaper and write the monthly Planning Bulletin. Caversham Bridge can be bought at several local shops or delivered to your door for £7 a year. They have asked us to remind their readers that subscriptions will be due on 1st April. Details at https://cavershambridge.org
The Back Copies of the newspaper going back to 1964 make fascinating reading. You may like to read this recent article about CADRA!
POST OFFICE WOES
We are very worried about the closure of the post office on Conisboro Avenue. This is a real shock after the closure of the Henley Road post office.
RIVER NEWS
It has been raining continuously for a record-breaking number of days, and the rivers are flowing very fast. The Thames and Kennet are both on flood alert and we would remind residents to be careful when walking near the river. Anyone crossing the weir at Caversham may have seen a boat trapped between two weir gates that allow the lock keeper to control the height of the river during periods of high rainfall. Boats on the weir gates will have an impact on the amount of water that can flow through those gates and thus impact the capacity of the weir. We have made both RBC and the Environment Agency aware so it can be removed when the river speed drops to a safe level.
KATESGROVE MURAL
It is not in North Reading, but the Katesgrove Residents’ Association has installed an amazing mural about Reading in the underpass. It is well worth a look on a day when it is not raining.
CONSULTATIONS
A reminder about the Priorities for Neighbourhood Spending of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - This consultation is about how RBC should prioritise spending the 15% CIL which will be allocated to North Reading. Since 2021 £4.7m has been allocated throughout the town. It closes on 18th Feb.
READING CITY OF CULTURE 2029
The Council is considering applying for Reading to be the City of Culture 2029.
Planning - Land West of Kidmore End Road
Planning - Land West of Kidmore End Road
PLANNING
Land west of Kidmore End Road
We lead again with an update on the proposed 70 additional homes. The developers have now lodged appeals for both the South Oxfordshire (SODC) and Reading Borough Council (RBC) applications. The RBC application was for a road connecting the SODC housing site and the Reading development which is currently nearing completion.
The process is moving quickly, with all parties required to submit statements by 11th March, and a public inquiry is expected to be in May.
Whilst SODC explicitly refused the plans (P25/S1431/O), the appeal against RBC is being made because RBC did not issue a decision within the required timeframe.
RBC’s Planning Applications Committee (PAC) were advised to meet and agree that their decision would have been to approve the application (PL/25/0691). The actual decision on the road connection will be made by the Planning Inspector at the same time as the SODC housing appeal.
CADRA addressed the Committee but was disappointed that councillors did not discuss our key point that the proposal conflicts with Reading’s own policies on cross-boundary development. This was one reason SODC gave for its own refusal.
The Committee discussed Section 106 payments (S106) at length. They resolved to increase the Council officer’s recommendation of £50,000 for traffic improvements to £150,000. CADRA maintained that this is woefully low, as we understand the cost of upgrading The Last Crumb crossing alone could be £500,000 (Although we recognise the difficulties of the way that S106 contributions are calculated).
We remain concerned that Reading taxpayers will face the cost of infrastructure upgrades, with no adequate S106 compensation, to which Reading has no right. This will mean worsening traffic congestion and increased pressure on health services, whilst SODC receives the additional Council Tax from the 70 homes.
We thank those councillors who listened to our comments and then voted against the application.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse