Developer cuts total of homes in new plan

A DEVELOPER has amended its plans for new homes at Caversham Park.

Beechcroft Developments bought the former home of the BBC Monitoring Service in 2021 and then applied for planning permission for 94 homes as well as a 64-bed care home and 64 assisted living homes.

Hundreds of residents objected, raising concerns over the increase in traffic and the strain on public infrastructure.

Now the Wallingford company has reduced the number of homes in a revision of its application to Reading Borough Council.

Beechcroft now plans to build 12 houses instead of 20 in the northern section of the site and nine houses and 12 flats reserved for over-55s in the area to the east of the manor house instead of 20 flats.

The company has also redrawn its plan for the house, which is Grade II listed, to create 65 assisted living homes, one more than previously.

Beechcroft also wants to build affordable housing and extend the pavilion to provide changing facilities, a café and studio, two croquet lawns and two bowling greens and refurbish the tennis court.

Parts of the main house would be demolished and parking and landscaping would be added.

In total, 16 homes have been removed from the plans and extra footpaths to neighbouring roads have been added.

A planning agent says the changes result in less harm to the heritage assets on the site, namely the house and a Grade II listed temple built in Doric style.

It said the care home building has been moved to preserve views of the temple and the main house.

Caversham and District Residents’ Association welcomed a proposed new access point on to Lowfield Road, saying it would benefit residents and local people.

But chairwoman Helen Lambert warned: “Traffic moves fast on Lowfield Road round a blind bend and careful provision will be needed for frail, elderly residents to cross safely.”

The BBC vacated the site in 2018.