Local Plan 2019

READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN Adopted November 2019 DRAFT READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● APRIL 2017 FOREWORD FOREWORD By Councillor Tony Page The Local Plan is the document that guides development in Reading up to 2036, and it will therefore play a decisive role in how our town evolves over the next two decades. It will be the main point of reference for anyone wishing to undertake new buildings, changes or developments within Reading over that period. This plan has been carefully developed to address some of the key issues facing Reading. In particular, this Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, and set out its commitment to work towards achieving a carbon neutral Reading by 2030. We must therefore ensure that new development only takes place where it can help us in achieving that aim. The Local Plan contains sustainability policies that put it at the cutting edge of authorities across the country. We are proud in Reading to be in the top 5% of local authorities in Britain for cutting carbon emissions and the Local Plan will play a major part in building upon that success. Over recent years, Reading has had great economic success, and this has resulted in considerable investment in the town. However, this success brings its own issues. In particular, Reading faces an acute housing crisis. There are not enough homes in general, and there is a particular need for genuinely affordable housing which represents more than half of our overall assessed housing need. The Local Plan is a major part of our response to this issue, and we continue to work with neighbouring councils to look at the needs of the Reading area as a whole. Other critical issues to be considered include how to provide the employment space and supporting infrastructure to make sure that Reading continues to be an attractive place in which to work, to live and to study. The benefits of Reading’s economic success also need to be shared out more equally with those communities in Reading that suffer high levels of deprivation and social exclusion. The Plan also takes a positive approach to conserving and enhancing Reading’s considerable but, in the past, often overlooked historic legacy. Reading has some truly significant historic sites, some of which are identified for future use and enhancement as part of this Plan. Improving Reading’s environment is a major part of the Plan, both in terms of revitalising tired and run-down sites and areas, and in preserving those elements that are essential to our residents’ quality of life. This Plan will ensure that our town remains a great place in which to live, work and play for people living here now - and in the future. It provides an excellent basis for delivering on our Climate Emergency Declaration earlier this year, and achieving a sustainable and prosperous future for Reading. Tony Page Deputy Leader, Reading Borough Council and Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2019 1 CONTENTS CONTENTS 1. Introduction 7 1.1 Role and Status of the Document 7 1.2 Context for Reading 7 1.3 Relationship with Other Plans and Strategies 9 1.4 Process of Production 10 1.5 Evidence and Technical Reports 10 2. Vision and Objectives 12 2.1 Vision 12 2.2 Objectives 13 3. Spatial Strategy 15 3.1 Western Berkshire Housing Market Area 15 3.2 Spatial Strategy for Reading 17 4. General Policies 21 4.1 Cross-Cutting Policies 21 4.2 Built and Natural Environment 34 4.3 Employment 65 4.4 Housing 72 4.5 Transport 99 4.6 Retail, Leisure and Culture 108 4.7 Other Uses 116 Area-Specific Sections 124 5. Central Reading 125 5.1 Area Context 125 5.2 Strategy for Central Reading 126 5.3 General Policies for Central Reading 130 5.4 Central Reading Site-Specific Policies 145 6. South Reading 166 6.1 Area Context 166 6.2 Strategy for South Reading 167 6.3 South Reading Site-Specific Policies 170 7. West Reading and Tilehurst 182 7.1 Area Context 182 7.2 Strategy for West Reading and Tilehurst 182 7.3 West Reading and Tilehurst Site-Specific Policies 185 8. Caversham and Emmer Green 196 8.1 Area Context 196 8.2 Strategy for Caversham and Emmer Green 197 8.3 Caversham and Emmer Green Site-Specific Policies 199 2 READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2019 CONTENTS 9. East Reading 205 9.1 Area Context 205 9.2 Strategy for East Reading 205 9.3 East Reading Site-Specific Policies 208 10. Implementation 215 10.1 Implementation Measures 215 10.2 Delivery Timescales 217 10.3 Infrastructure Delivery Plan 221 11. Monitoring 230 12. Glossary 235 Appendices 245 Appendix 1: Housing Trajectory 246 Appendix 2: Criteria for Locally Listing Buildings and Structures 249 READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2019 3 LIST OF POLICIES LIST OF POLICIES CC1: PRESUMPTION IN FAVOUR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 21 CC2: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 21 CC3: ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE 23 CC4: DECENTRALISED ENERGY 24 CC5: WASTE MINIMISATION AND STORAGE 26 CC6: ACCESSIBILITY AND THE INTENSITY OF DEVELOPMENT 27 CC7: DESIGN AND THE PUBLIC REALM 28 CC8: SAFEGUARDING AMENITY 30 CC9: SECURING INFRASTRUCTURE 31 EN1: PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT 37 EN2: AREAS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE 39 EN3: ENHANCEMENT OF CONSERVATION AREAS 39 EN4: LOCALLY IMPORTANT HERITAGE ASSETS 40 EN5: PROTECTION OF SIGNIFICANT VIEWS WITH HERITAGE INTEREST 41 EN6: NEW DEVELOPMENT IN A HISTORIC CONTEXT 42 EN7: LOCAL GREEN SPACE AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE 42 EN8: UNDESIGNATED OPEN SPACE 45 EN9: PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE 45 EN10: ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE 48 EN11: WATERSPACES 49 EN12: BIODIVERSITY AND THE GREEN NETWORK 51 EN13: MAJOR LANDSCAPE FEATURES AND AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY 54 EN14: TREES, HEDGES AND WOODLAND 55 EN15: AIR QUALITY 56 EN16: POLLUTION AND WATER RESOURCES 59 EN17: NOISE GENERATING EQUIPMENT 61 EN18: FLOODING AND DRAINAGE 62 EM1: PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT 65 EM2: LOCATION OF NEW EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT 68 EM3: LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT LAND 69 EM4: MAINTAINING A VARIETY OF PREMISES 70 H1: PROVISION OF HOUSING 72 H2: DENSITY AND MIX 73 H3: AFFORDABLE HOUSING 76 H4: BUILD TO RENT SCHEMES 79 H5: STANDARDS FOR NEW HOUSING 81 H6: ACCOMMODATION FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE 85 H7: PROTECTING THE EXISTING HOUSING STOCK 86 H8: RESIDENTIAL CONVERSIONS 87 H9: HOUSE EXTENSIONS AND ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION 90 H10: PRIVATE AND COMMUNAL OUTDOOR SPACE 91 H11: DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL GARDENS 93 H12: STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 95 4 READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2019 LIST OF POLICIES H13: PROVISION FOR GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS 97 H14: SUBURBAN RENEWAL AND REGENERATION 98 TR1: ACHIEVING THE TRANSPORT STRATEGY 99 TR2: MAJOR TRANSPORT PROJECTS 100 TR3: ACCESS, TRAFFIC AND HIGHWAY-RELATED MATTERS 104 TR4: CYCLE ROUTES AND FACILITIES 105 TR5: CAR AND CYCLE PARKING AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING 106 RL1: NETWORK AND HIERARCHY OF CENTRES 108 RL2: SCALE AND LOCATION OF RETAIL, LEISURE AND CULTURE DEVELOPMENT 109 RL3: VITALITY AND VIABILITY OF SMALLER CENTRES 110 RL4: BETTING SHOPS AND PAYDAY LOAN COMPANIES 113 RL5: IMPACT OF MAIN TOWN CENTRE USES 114 RL6: PROTECTION OF LEISURE FACILITIES AND PUBLIC HOUSES 114 OU1: NEW AND EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES 116 OU2: HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS 118 OU3: TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT 119 OU4: ADVERTISEMENTS 120 OU5: SHOPFRONTS AND CASH MACHINES 122 CR1: DEFINITION OF CENTRAL READING 130 CR2: DESIGN IN CENTRAL READING 130 CR3: PUBLIC REALM IN CENTRAL READING 132 CR4: LEISURE, CULTURE AND TOURISM IN CENTRAL READING 133 CR5: DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS IN CENTRAL READING 134 CR6: LIVING IN CENTRAL READING 135 CR7: PRIMARY FRONTAGES IN CENTRAL READING 137 CR8: SMALL SHOP UNITS IN CENTRAL READING 138 CR9: TERRACED HOUSING IN CENTRAL READING 139 CR10: TALL BUILDINGS 139 CR11: STATION/RIVER MAJOR OPPORTUNITY AREA 145 CR12: WEST SIDE MAJOR OPPORTUNITY AREA 151 CR13: EAST SIDE MAJOR OPPORTUNITY AREA 155 CR14: OTHER SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL READING 159 CR15: THE READING ABBEY QUARTER 164 CR16: AREAS TO THE NORTH OF FRIAR STREET AND EAST OF STATION ROAD 165 SR1: ISLAND ROAD MAJOR OPPORTUNITY AREA 170 SR2: LAND NORTH OF MANOR FARM ROAD MAJOR OPPORTUNITY AREA 173 SR3: SOUTH OF ELGAR ROAD MAJOR OPPORTUNITY AREA 175 SR4: OTHER SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH READING 177 SR5: LEISURE AND RECREATION USE OF THE KENNETSIDE AREAS 181 WR1: DEE PARK 185 WR2: PARK LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE LAURELS AND DOWNING ROAD 186 WR3: OTHER SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN WEST READING AND TILEHURST 188 CA1: SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN CAVERSHAM AND EMMER GREEN 199 CA2: CAVERSHAM PARK 202 READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2019 5 LIST OF POLICIES ER1: SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN EAST READING 208 ER2: WHITEKNIGHTS CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF READING 212 ER3: ROYAL BERKSHIRE HOSPITAL 213 6 READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN ● ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2019 1. INTRODUCTION 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Role and status of the document 1.1.1 The Local Plan for Reading is the document that contains the policies for how Reading will develop up to 2036, which is the end date of the plan. It identifies the amount of development that will take place, the areas and sites where development is expected to be accommodated, and where it will be restricted, and sets out policies for how planning applications will be decided. 1.1.2 The plan has ‘development plan’ status. This means that, legally, it is the main consideration in deciding planning applications in Reading. Decisions should be in line with the plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise1. 1.1.3 The local plan replaces all existing development plans in Reading. This means that the Core Strategy (adopted 2008, amended 2015), Reading Central Area Action Plan (adopted 2009) and Sites and Detailed Policies Document (adopted 2012, amended 2015) cease to be used now that this Local Plan is adopted.

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