Retirement homes, school play area and dental surgery at Redwoods, Mortimer Common, Reading

What was proposed

The scheme would demolish Redwoods, create school play and habitat areas, build staff parking, 32 retirement homes and a dental surgery.

“Proposal Demolition of existing residential property known as Redwoods; Creation of a new hard and soft play and habitat area for St Johns Infant School; Provision of a new car park providing 17 no. parking spaces for school staff, to be accessed off The Street via the existing access serving Redwoods; Erection of 32no.”

“Introduction 1.1 The purpose of this report is for the Committee to consider the proposed development against the policies of the development plan and the relevant material considerations, and to make a decision as to whether to approve or refuse the application.”

Officer report

Earlier plans for the land

Earlier permissions covered 110 homes, public open space, land for a doctors’ surgery and a three-form infant school.

“Application Proposal Decision / Date 17/03004/OUTMAJ Proposed erection of 110 dwellings with 40% affordable units, associated landscaping, parking and access, plus provision of public open space, and land for Doctors GP surgery plus 3 form infant school. Approved 2019. 19/00981/OUTMAJ S73 application-variation of approved plans of 17/03004/OUTMAJ. Approved 2019”

“Since the outline permissions have been granted, there have been a host of applications relating to reserved matters approvals, discharge of conditions and non material applications. These are all registered on the Council system. Legal and Procedural Matters 2.4 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Given the nature, scale and location of this development, it is not considered to fall within the description of any development…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Consultees raised concerns about the surgery land, affordable housing, access, drainage, noise and trees, while several services supported or accepted the amended scheme.

“Detailed analysis of layout plans -all rectified via the amended plans but still has some concerns over the single track width of the access road from the Street into the staff car park as proposed. Ie for the School. Dental surgery layout and parking is acceptable. Conditional permission may be granted. Ward Member Has submitted two detailed objections to the application.”

“Support the application in principle, but need to ensure that the land needs to be transferred to the School Authorities with no encumbrances and Redwoods demolished at no cost to the Council with the land left in a condition ready for the staff car park use and playing filed. Housing In accord with policy SP16, the applicant is required to provide 40% affordable housing on the site ie 13 units rounded up. should be achieved via a s106 agreement.”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

Parish representatives, an objector, supporters, the agent and the ward member addressed the committee.

What members debated

Members considered the expired safeguarding period, housing need, affordable housing, building height, neighbour amenity, consultation and school benefits.

“That the applicant did claim that the greatest need for housing was for the over 50s, but that the lack of affordable housing provision on the site was regrettable as there was also substantial demand for these types of dwellings as well. In addition, it was noted that no one from Housing was present at the meeting to present their objection to the application.”

“In addition, he believed that the viability assessment also seemed to be appropriate and that, although the loss of affordable housing was lamentable, there was a demonstrable need for older person housing, which this application would provide. The point raised by the neighbours around the loss of amenity was noted and acknowledged, however, he did not believe that these were significant enough to warrant refusing the application.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members carried a motion to grant permission, subject to the legal agreement and amended lighting condition.

“However, the update reports provided more details around these issues and that the 16-metre gap break between the proposed dwellings and the existing neighbouring properties was sufficient. For these reasons, with an amendment to the lighting condition to include dark sky policies, he was satisfied to agree with officer recommendations. Councillor Nick Carter spoke again and highlighted that he was torn on the application.”

“At the vote the motion was carried: RESOLVED that the Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions in the main report and update report subject to the following amendments to condition 12 and the completion of the required s106 planning obligation as set out in the agenda report and update report: Prior to the first occupation of any building within each phase, a "lighting design strategy for biodiversity" for that part of the site…”

Minutes