Hoardings Allowed Around Caversham House Until 2027

Hoardings around a long-vacant house on Albert Road in Caversham have been allowed to stay after an appeal, despite council concerns.

The property, on a large plot at the junction with Chelford Way, was split into three flats in the 1990s and has been unoccupied. Hoardings were visible in Street View in November 2022.

Owner Widbrook Developments made a retrospective application in May 2023, saying the hoarding was for safety and to deter intruders while the firm planned to demolish and replace the building. Reading Borough Council's planning department refused the application.

Widbrook appealed. Inspector Emma Pickernell sided with the company and allowed the hoarding on a temporary basis.

"However, allowing the proposal on a temporary basis would ensure that it would not be a permanent feature and would give certainty that it would be removed in due course."

The decision was reported to the council's planning committee on 29 April, which said the hoarding can remain only until August 2027. The council accepted the inspector found harm to the area's character, but that the safety and security benefits were significant.

Mark Worringham, the council's planning policy manager, wrote: "This is a disappointing decision."

You can see the appeal decision on the council portal under PL/23/0663. Widbrook also won permission in August last year to convert the house into two semi-detached homes and add a new porch (PL/25/0425). An earlier plan to demolish and replace the building was refused.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter