Plan for 570 flats rejected after council concerns

A project to build 570 flats in four large apartment blocks on the site of vacant offices has been refused by a council.

Developers proposed building the 11-storey blocks on Napier Court in Reading, Berkshire, currently used for three two-storey offices, that have been vacant since the summer.

Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee agreed to reject the plan after officers proposed 14 reasons as to why it should not go ahead.

They included the applicant, Peveril Securities, proposing no affordable housing in the complex. The authority typically demands that 30% of homes in new developments are given that classification.

Officers said the developer had submitted a plan for cycle parking, which had not been provided earlier, but other concerns included a lack of "appropriate provision" for open space.

Other problems included a lack of "appropriate provision for landscaping either on or off-site" and that the proposal "would not acceptably adapt to climate change, achieve zero carbon homes standards and not provide appropriately towards energy infrastructure".