As well as our regular updates, this month there are important changes to bus services, news of September’s Heritage Open Days’ events and several key consultations where your voice can make a difference.
PLANNING
CADRA has written to Matt Rodda MP regarding the abandonment of the Chilterns National Landscape (AONB) extension review. CADRA has asked him to consider the benefits that an extension of the Chilterns National Landscape could bring to Reading. Read our letter here. Letter to MP
Around Caversham Centre: The application for St Martins Precinct proposal (PL/25/0814) has been withdrawn. CADRA met with the landlord (Sorbon Estates) to discuss its proposal prior to the withdrawal. We would like to thank them for taking the time to meet with us and considering CADRA’s views as well as those of Caversham Traders, who we invited to the meeting.
New applications this month include 43 Church Road (PL/25/1017), a welcomed roof restoration of a Grade II listed house in the conservation area. Its position opposite Caversham Court Stables raises concerns about managing the work on this busy and narrow road. At 18 Bridge Street (PL/25/1004), a conversion of offices (Class E) into two flats (Class C3) is proposed. A previous application was refused due to noise impact, flood risk, and waste management issues. 35 Prospect Street (PL/25/1036), next to La Bella Café, is a retrospective application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for five small studio flats that have been in long-term use.
Elsewhere in our Area: At 88 Knights Way, Emmer Green (PL/25/0883), an expansion of the Emmer Green Kindergarten is proposed, providing up to thirty places for under-three-year-olds on spare land behind their existing Grove Road building. The application at 25 Tredegar Road, Emmer Green (PL/23/0549), submitted two years ago for a two-storey five-bedroom house next to No. 25, may be nearing a decision, as a draft Section 106 agreement is now available. A new house on the busy Lowfield Road, Caversham Park Village (PL/23/1043) which uses spare land at the back of 26 Woods Road is causing some local concerns.
In South Oxfordshire, the controversial application for up to 70 homes on the old golf land west of Kidmore End Road, Emmer Green (PL/25/0691) has been updated to include an air quality assessment provided by the developers.
EMMER GREEN FOCUS
Playground - The new playground at the Emmer Green recreation ground opened in time for the school summer holidays. It is great to see that a lot of children are already using it.
Emmer Green Shops - Good news for those who used to enjoy the Raj Tandoori restaurant; the owners have put up a sign to say they will be reopening (no date given yet) after closing suddenly over 18 months ago. The new Stop & Taste restaurant (replacing the former Chinese takeaway) has yet to open although works have been ongoing for some weeks.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2025
Tickets are selling fast for Helen Lambert’s (CADRA) talk on Crossing the Thames at Caversham - 1.30pm on the 13th September. If you don’t want to miss out, then tickets are available online. It is just one of the events in Caversham that day, all part of the Heritage Open Days programme for 2025. The event is free, but if you would like to make a small donation towards the cost of the venue it is always most welcome.
READING FESTIVAL
Reading Festival will be on Fri 22nd - Sun 24th August. The first festival goers will arrive Wed 20th August and can stay until Mon 25th August. CADRA is currently liaising with Festival Republic on several issues. Please let us know if there is anything that you are concerned about prior to the event. The RBC hotline will be available during the event itself, as in previous years.
NORTH READING SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM (NRSNF)
We urge residents to comment on the RBC Annual Safety Survey and the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) proposal below. RBC has noted that the response rate from Emmer Green for the Annual Safety Survey is low. These surveys are used to set priorities for Thames Valley Police and RBC Partnership Services.
RBC CONSULTATIONS
Adult Annual Safety Survey - Please share your views on crime and safety in Reading by completing the Crime and Safety Survey. - Closing Date 31st August
Borough Wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - The consultation is now open regarding the possible introduction of a PSPO to help to deal with aggressive begging, nuisance public drinking, and the antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Most of the proposal is self-explanatory, but the issue of e-bikes and e-scooters is more nuanced. There is currently legislation in place to stop the use of e-scooters and illegally modified e-bikes or electric motor bikes. The PSPO looks to tackle the anti-social use of e-bikes and we note the FAQ comments that ‘The safe and lawful use of e-bikes will be encouraged’ as part of its sustainable transport commitment.
The survey is at Public Spaces Protection Order - Closing Date 1st September
Boundary Review - Reading Borough Council is submitting a proposal to the Government to change the boundary of Reading to include Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley on Thames, Theale, and parts of Tilehurst. This proposal is outside of CADRA’s area, but members might be interested in the proposal - Your-council-your-say - Closing Date 21st September.
TRADERS’ MATTERS
Henley Road Post Office Closure - CADRA is very concerned about the announcement of the closure of this vital service and we hope that a replacement Post Office can be soon found.
Members may have noticed a new hat shop near the junction of Church Road and Church Street. We wish the owners every success with the new venture.
NORTH READING BUSES
Reading Buses Revised Routes - There are several changes to Reading Bus services in North Reading from 1st September. CADRA would like to thank Reading Buses for consulting with us regarding these changes. We think the change to the route of the 25 in Emmer Green will be well received. We have some concerns about the return route to Amersham Road from Caversham, exacerbated by road works planned for Amersham Road. Full details can be found here: Changes and New Timetables
Reading Buses Reduced Short Hop Fare - As part of our discussion with Reading Buses we questioned if a lower fare for the short hop from Caversham centre to Reading Station would increase usage of the services. We are pleased to see that Reading Buses is trialling a £1.50 service for the summer - Short-hop-fare-slashed-summer
Oxford-Reading X40 - There are now three Reading-Oxford buses an hour on weekdays, during the day. If you are going all the way to Oxford, note that it will also stop at the Redbridge Park & Ride. The NX40 night bus now comes all the way to Reading, rather than terminating in Wallingford. There are new ultra-low emission vehicles with increased capacity. X40 Timetable Changes
YOUTH MATTERS
The Ben Kinsella Trust - Olly’s Work is highlighting the following seminar on advice for parents and carers on Helping Our Children Stay Safe on 27th August 6-8pm.
MEMBERS’ CONCERNS
Thames Water issued an update at the beginning of August on the Kidmore Road Sinkhole, saying the project to stabilise the ground is estimated to take a further nine weeks. What was not clear from this is what if any further work is required before the road can reopen.
Some Caversham Heights residents have noticed an acrid bitumen smell and we are looking into it. If this issue has affected you, could you please let us know – info@cadra.org.uk