A PROPOSAL to extension flats to a block of shops in Woodley town centre has been rejected by Wokingham Borough Council.
At a meeting of its planning committee earlier this month, councillors considered a plan to build upwards on the Woodley Library Parade opposite Lidl. It would have seen the two-storey building have 16 apartments added over an additional two storeys: 11 one-bed, and five two-bed.
But it was rejected over concerns about its impact on neighbours, as it was felt the occupants would be able to look directly into neighbouring properties.
Councillors pointed out the proximity between the proposed apartments and existing flats opposite.
Cllr Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford) said: “Whatever its merits in other regards, and it has some merits, I’m afraid they don’t overcome the harm done.”
He pointed out that the windows of the new east facing flats would only be 11 metres away from the existing apartments at 6 Headley Road, saying he didn’t think it was acceptable.
“It will make people feel as though they are overlooked even if they are not physically being overlooked.”
The plan was also opposed by Woodley Town Council’s planning committee, which argued the flats would also overlook Beechwood Primary School in Ambleside Close, lead to a loss of parking for the existing shops, and create a ‘wind tunnel’ effect alongside existing buildings.
Wokingham Borough Council’s planning department had recommended it for conditional approval, saying the new homes would be in a sustainable location. They wanted five of the one-bed homes made affordable.
Ultimately, the councillors decided to refuse the plan at the meeting on Wednesday, March 8.
You can view the application by typing reference 222367 into the council’s planning portal.
The plan had been discussed at a meeting in February, where concerns about the loss of car parking for the existing shops were raised.
Approval would have resulted in the loss of 13 spaces to the rear of the building to make way for extensions.
Meanwhile, the site would have been reconfigured to provide 10 parking spaces for the new occupants, with six having electric charging and two being reserved as disabled bays.
