Plans for New Homes in Caversham Rejected

Plans to turn the closed Hemdean House School in Caversham into more than 60 homes look set to be refused.

Hemdean House closed in July 2024 after 165 years. It was founded by Francis Knighton in 185, and has had pupils including Elsie Smith MBE and soprano Lizbeth Webb.

Developer Churchill Living L applied to Reading Borough Council in February to build 62 homes: 51 retirement flats in a new block, 10 open-market flats by converting the old schoolhouse, and one home in the gatehouse.

Principal planning officer Ethne Humphreys has recommended refusal, listing 22 reasons including the loss of an education site.

Her report states: "The proposed development fails to demonstrate that there is no need to retain the existing educational and community use of the site."

She also warned: "The proposed development would involve and require unsympathetic alterations to the historic buildings Hemdean House School and Lodge, including inappropriate fenestration and other materials, which would result fail to conserve the character and appearance of these non-designated heritage assets with consequent harm to their significance."

The council received 110 objections. Local Green candidate Sam Wild cited the loss of nursery provision, traffic impacts and the height of the three-storey retirement block.

Supporters say the scheme frees up family homes for the housing market and helps social care. The planning agent wrote: "The provision of retirement housing releases underoccupied family homes back into the housing market.

"This, in turn, enables moves throughout the whole housing market, benefiting everyone, including first-time buyers.

"The social benefits of the proposed development include: encouraging independence in later life with suitably designed housing; reducing reliance on residential and nursing care; and companionship, reducing loneliness and social isolation and the associated health impacts."

The planning applications committee will decide on Wednesday, June 3.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter