Tribunal courts conversion at Sovereign House, 57-59 Vastern Road, Reading

“Title PLANNING APPLICATION REPORT Ward Thames Planning Application Reference: PL/25/0616 (FUL) Site Address: Sovereign House, 57-59 Vastern Road, Reading Proposed Development Change of use from E(g)(i) offices to F1(g) Law Courts, including internal alterations, additional external lift, additional sub-station and landscaping works.”

“Figure 1 - Site Location Plan 3. The proposal 3.1. The proposal involves the conversion and refurbishment of the building to accommodate a new Tribunal Court facility for His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to include two social security and child services tribunal hearing rooms, and seven employment tribunal hearing rooms, both services appear to be relocating from properties on Friar Street, however this has not been specifically outlined by the applicant.”

“Executive summary 1.1. The application site is an existing three storey office building, constructed as part of a modern development of Norman Place in the 1990s. It fronts onto the IDR (Vastern Road) and contains parking to the rear. The proposal is for the change of use of the building for tribunal courts.”

“These result in some loss of on-site vegetation, but the overall proposal results in enhanced landscaping overall and in a biodiversity net gain on the site. The renewed landscaping would also improve some existing plain areas of the site. Introduction and site description 2.1. The application site relates to ‘Sovereign House’ which is a three storey office building located on the northern side of Vastern Road.”

“For a ‘less vulnerable’ development within Flood Zone 2, a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required, incorporating estimated flood levels (including climate change allowances), finished floor levels, and appropriate flood resistance and resilience measures. Floor levels should be set at least 600mm above the flood level, or 300mm where flood level certainty is high.”

“Ecology 7.22 The application is subject to mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements (10% net gain). The proposal is also subject to Policy EN12 which seeks no net loss of biodiversity. The proposal has demonstrated a net gain of 14% on-site which is considered acceptable. The proposal, through an appropriate prepared bat roost assessment, has demonstrated no bats were seen during the survey periods.”

“910233/OUT: Erection of offices and associated parking. Granted – 12/12/1990 5. Consultations 5.1. Internal RBC Ecological consultant 5.2. No objection, subject to conditions relating to: construction environment management plan for biodiversity, wildlife friendly lighting, biodiversity enhancements, and biodiversity net gain requirements. RBC Transport Strategy 5.3. No objections subject to conditions. RBC Planning (Natural Environment) Team (tree officer) 5.4.”

“No objection subject to conditions. RBC Access Officer 5.8. No comments received at the time of writing. Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) (Thames Valley Police (TVP)) 5.9. No objection, requests ongoing engagement to ensure compliance with court and tribunal design guide. Public 5.10. One comment was made by a resident. However, this was erroneously directed towards this application, and related to the neighbouring Normal Place application (PL/25/0958).”

“The Committee considered a report on the above application. An update report was tabled at the meeting giving details of further comments received from the Council’s Emergency Planning Team, information on site security and information on acoustic impact, including on a revised acoustic assessment that had been received on 9 September 2025. An additional condition to secure implementation of the noise mitigation strategy was proposed.”

“The Committee requested that officers liaise with the applicant to arrange an appropriately- worded condition to provide for special pre-booked arrangements for public disabled access to the staff disabled parking bays near the building.”

“(1) That planning permission for application PL/25/0616 (FUL) be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the original report, with the additional condition set out in the update report, and either condition 14 being amended or a new condition being added to require details of how visiting public with disabilities could be allowed to park on site, to be submitted for approval and thereafter implemented;”

“(2) That the Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to agree details of the proposed car park disabled access condition.”