Reading Borough Local Plan
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READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN Adopted November 2019 , ' I I ,ti'' Sonnir www.reading.gov.uk Working better vvith you Reading • Borough Councll FOREWORD Waildngllellarwllh,-i 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 ft 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 ts 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 hi toric 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 fn 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 fn which to lfve, 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 READ G BOROUGH LOCA PLAN • ADOPTED NOVEMBER 20 9 4. GENERAL POL/CIES- BUIL T AND NATURA L ENVIRONMENT - ~~~~!~9 Wotldng better with you Area. There are a number of other views in the Borough that are important for other reasons, and these are covered by other designations and documents. Policy EN13 deals with major landscape features, of and within which there are many views of importance. There are also a number of views of central Reading, in particular including the station area. The Reading Station Area Framework (chapter 7) identifies both longer and shorter distance views that are of 39 importance • EN6 : NEW DEVELOPMENT IN A HISTORIC CONTEXT In areas characterised by heritage assets, the hfstoric envfronment w;ff fnform and shape new development. New development will make a contribution to the historic character of the area by respecting and enhancing its architectural and visual qualities and considering how heritage considerations can influence the design of new development. When determining planning applications f or new development, the following f actors will be taken into consideration: a . The positive contribution of the development to the existing historic townscape (scale, l1e1gfft, mass, proportion, plot size, street f orm, materials, significant vistas and views, and open space) ; b. Sensitivity to historic context; c. Reflection of borough-wide maj or heritage themes that contribute to local distinctiveness (e.g. patterned brickwork or f ormer worker terraced housing); d. Whether development promotes and/or improves access to previously undiscovered or neglected historic significance. 4.2.23 The Council is committed to protecting and where appropriate, enhancing, Reading's historic environment. This includes ensuring that buildings and features of local architectural and historic interest are taken fully into account and safeguarded, as appropriate. New development in the vicinity of historic assets or at the edges of conservation areas should be sympathetic. It should reflect elements of the local historic environment in the form of the new development. This could include a wide range of matters such as footprint sizes, setbacks from the road frontage, landscaping, window placement and size, prevailing building height or architectural features. The aim is not to copy existing heritage, but to use new development to underline key consistent elements of the local historic environment. Good, modern design that is complimentary to the historic environment will be acceptable and preferable to ' pastiche.' 4.2.24 The Council's positive approach to promoting Reading's unique historic character relies on early discussions with stakeholders at the pre-application stage, so that applicants are fully informed of the issues they are required to address. Local Green Space and Public Open Space EN7: LOCAL GREEN SPACE AHD PUBLIC OPEN SPACE The following Local Green Spaces (LGS) and Public Open Space (POS), as shown on the Proposals Map, will be protected f rom development . Proposals that would result in the loss of any of these areas of open space, erode their quality through insensitive adj acent 39 http://www.r-ead"mg.gov.uk/media/1674/Reading-Station-Area-framewotlr/pdf/Reading-Stanon-Arerttameworlc.pdf 42 READI G SORO GH LOCAL PLAN • ADOPTE NOVE MBER 201 9 •~~!~~ng 4. GENERAL POLICIES-BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Working better wtlh you development or j eopardise their use or enjoyment by the public, will not be permit ted. Code Name Status Area (ha) EN7Ca Christ church Meadows LGS 11.06 EN7Cb Forbury Gardens LGS 1.8 EN 7Cc Hills Meadow LGS 4.26 EN7Cd Kings Meadow and the Coal Woodland LGS 16. 17 EN7Ce Kings Road Gardens POS 0.16 EN7Cf St Laurence's Churchyard POS 0.39 EN7Cg St Mary's Churchyard POS 0.59 EN7Ch View Island LGS 1.62 EN7Sa Cint ra Park LGS 6.87 EN7Sb Fobney Island Nature Reserve POS 6.18 EN7Sc Greenham Avenue, Kennet Island LGS 0.47 EN7Sd John Rabson Recreation Ground and The Cowsey LGS 26.91 EN7Se Kennet Island Nature Reserve POS 1.62 EN7Sf Long Barn Lane Recreation Ground LGS 3.29 EN7Sg Shinfield Road Recreation Ground LGS 1.15 EN7Sh South Whitley Park LGS 5.31 EN7Si Wat erloo Meadows LGS 10.32 EN7Sj Whitley Wood Recreation Ground LGS 4.15 EN7Wa Arthur Newbery Park LGS 13.02 EN7Wb Battle Square LGS 0.54 EN7Wc Beresford Road Playground POS 0.54 EN7Wd Blagrave Recreation Ground POS 0.87 EN7We Blundells Copse and Meadway Sports Ground LGS 9.48 EN7Wf Coley Recreation Ground LGS 5.62 EN7Wg Courage Park POS 1.74 EN7Wh Great Knollys Street Recreation Ground POS 1.49 EN7Wi Kensington Park LGS 4.23 EN7Wj Lousehill Copse LGS 12.67 EN7Wk Mcilroy Park and Round Copse LGS 15.02 EN7WI Meadway Woodland POS 2.6 EN7Wm Oxford Road Recreation Ground LGS 0.69 EN7Wn Portman Road Playground POS 2.32 EN7Wo Prospect Park LGS 46.52 EN7Wp Rivermead and Thameside Promenade LGS 16.83 EN7Wq Robert Hewett Recreation Ground LGS 0.34 EN7Wr Southcote Linear Park LGS 3.47 EN7Ws Taff Way Woodland POS 2.74 EN7Wt Tofrek Terrace POS 2.1 EN7Wu Victoria Recreation Ground and Kentwood Hill Allotments LGS 4.64 EN7Wv Oxford Road Community Garden POS 0.12 EN7Na Albert Road Recreation Ground LGS 1.53 EN7Nb Amersham Road Recreation Ground LGS 2.31 EN7Nc Balmore Walk LGS 7.06 EN7Nd Beechwood LGS 3.65 EN7Ne Bug's Bottom (Hemdean Bottom) LGS 14.23 EN7Nf Caleta Close Play Area POS 0.46 EN7Ng Caversham Court Gardens and Allotments LGS 1.4 EN7Nh Caversham Pond POS 0.73 EN7Ni Clayfield Copse and Blackhouse Woods LGS 26.31 EN7Nj Emmer Green Pond POS 1.09 EN7Nk Emmer Green Recreation Ground and Allotments LGS 2.27 EN7NI Land at Deans Farm POS 2.29 EN7Nm Land at Stuart Close POS 0.73 EN7Nn Mapledurham Playing Fields LGS 10.86 EN7No Milestone Wood and Milestone Way LGS 8.29 EN7Np Rotherfield Way Copse LGS 1.97 READING BOROUGH LOCA PLA • ADOPTED NOVEMBER 20 9 43 4. GENERAL POLICIES- BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT -~~!~!!!9 Worklng~wtth yoll EN7Nq The Wa rren Woodland West LGS 0.99 EN7Nr Westfield Road Recreation Ground LGS 1.45 EN7Ea Alfred Sutton Playing Field LGS 4.9 EN7Eb Eldon Square POS 0.35 EN7Ec Lorenzo Quelch Park POS 0.12 EN7Ed Palmer Park LGS 16.07 4.2.25 The National Planning Policy Framework states that local communities, through local plans, are able to identify Local Green Space for specific protection which is of particular importance to them. The aim of this policy is therefore to define the boundaries of Local Green Space, based on the criteria in the NPPF.