February continues our busy start to 2026. Our focus remains on the planning appeals for the land off Kidmore End Road, and the Reading Local Plan hearings, where the recent record-breaking days of rain mean flood risk and sewage issues seem even more relevant. We celebrate the reopening of Kidmore Road, the return of the no. 22 bus, and include important updates on local policing. We hope our news is interesting.
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Land west of Kidmore End Road
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.
Reading Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU)
Reading Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU)
CADRA has been participating in the Inspector’s Hearings to examine the LPPU, relating to our concern about the flood risk for new housing development at the site owned by Reading University on Christchurch Meadows. We are pleased to note that our comments echoed those of the Environment Agency (EA) who suggested that the proposal to build there is ‘unsound’.
The EA also raised worrying comments regarding the lack of capacity at the Reading Sewage Treatment Works.
We also expressed our concern at the potential loss of trees from the proposed redevelopment of the Hemdean House site.
Other Planning Matters - Caversham Park House, Caversham Centre....
Other Planning Matters - Caversham Park House, Caversham Centre....
Caversham Park House
Both the park and house are listed, and their major redevelopment (PL/22/0409) was permitted last year. It involves a substantial renovation of the house, with new houses and changes to the park layout, to create a care home, sheltered housing and new public access. The 141 conditions attached to the permission have now been published, and the developers will submit applications to discharge them. CADRA, RBC’s Conservation Officer and Historic England have previously raised concerns about heritage protection and ecological impact, which will remain important when considering these conditions.
Caversham Centre
The proposal for a new apartment block at St Martins Precinct (PL/25/1608) was refused because it represented a substantial change rather than a non-material amendment to the original 2014 permission (PL/14/0997). A full application will need to address appearance and landscaping and include consultations.
At 3 Prospect Street (PL/25/1211), the change of use to a tanning and beauty salon has been approved. It will be welcome to see these long vacant premises occupied again, and CADRA hopes the conditions on refuse handling and the shopfront design will help ensure a positive contribution to the street scene.
In the Conservation Area in areas prone to flooding: at 6 Church Street (PL/26/0053), a listed building application proposes internal works to provide essential flood mitigation measures. And at 18 Church Road (PL/25/1597), where a substantial house extension has been refused on the grounds that its massing would harm the character of the Conservation Area.
Park Farm, Mapledurham
This SODC application (P26/S3688/FUL) proposes converting the former dairy cattle barns to B8 commercial storage. CADRA has raised concerns about whether traffic would genuinely remain at current levels along the narrow lanes and farm roads popular with walkers and cyclists. Also of concern is the loss of biodiversity previously provided by the dairy herd that supported wildlife.
Across the river
You may also be interested in the outline application for the redevelopment of Forbury Retail Park, Kenavon Drive (PL/25/1706), which proposes up to 700 homes and 3,000 sqm of commercial space across 12 blocks ranging from seven to twelve storeys on the site of the furniture warehouses.
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