Consultations

What we do

We make sure that we are formally included in all consultations carried out by Reading Borough Council and other organisations. Use this web site to keep yourself informed and let us know your views so that we can represent you.

Contacts and Links

The Council website includes a list of all consultations in each financial year. www.reading.gov.uk/consultations/

Christchurch Meadows Consultation Results

Government funding from ‘New Growth Points’ and ‘Playbuilder’ combined with developers' contributions (section 106) is providing investment in the Meadows following on from a public consultation. Improvements aim to benefit the large number of people who walk or cycle across the park, those who enjoy spending time by the river and the very popular play area.

It is the Council’s intention to undertake work for which there was either greatest support or the greatest sense of urgency: path resurfacing, lighting, hedgerow planting, improvements to the park entrances (especially opening up sightlines at the Wolsey Road entrance), and riverbank repairs. Up to 6 trees will be removed and 16 (10 beech, 3 Caucasian wingnuts and 3 silver birch) have been planted within the past few weeks. No change will be made to trees around the war memorial.

The play area has been expanded, and the remainder of the Playbuilder funding will be used to add play features, increase the number of picnic tables and bins, and enhance access for people with mobility difficulties.

Click here to find out more.

Proposed new Reading Station

Network Rail consultation about the proposed new station itself:

If you wish to make a comment click here.

For more information about the Network Rail Consultation see their website

click here

or ring their 24 hour helpline 08457 114 141

Reading Borough Council Planning Process for the area around the proposed new Reading Station

The station and major developments to the south appear to have received most of the necessary approvals but finding details of these proposals is not easy.   Click here for the proposed development.

For Caversham the intention is that ultimately interchanges will be to the north of the station with access probably via Vastern Road.  A low level (subway) path linking north to south should make access to the station and town-centre easier than at present .  CADRA is in contact with the relevant authorities.

Reading’s Transport User Forum has a CADRA representative which allows us to comment and hear other views.  At the last meeting there was widespread concern about the interchange proposals at the station which may not reap the benefits of the £500m station investment. 

Although consultation about Reading Station framework is closed, there are still opportunities to protest about the proposed bus interchanges and the proposed height of some of the proposed new 14 storey buildings.

Click here for Reading Buses Customer comment sheet.

You can also email the Planning Team ldf@reading.gov.uk

or you can write to the following address:

LDF Planning Team, Planning Department, Civic Centre, Reading, RG1 7AE.

Telephone: 0118 937 2286

Tree Strategy for Reading - consultation closed 2nd April 2010.

A wide-ranging Tree Strategy has been drawn up looking at how to protect and increase the number of trees in the borough, and the council wants to hear from local people what they think about the proposals which are aimed at increasing the number of trees by 10 per cent.

Key proposals cover the protection and retention of trees, managing and maintaining the trees and planting new ones, especially in areas where there is low tree cover.

Click here for more information about the tree strategy.

Development Sites and the Planning Process The consultation closed 2 April 2010.

 The process of allocating sites for development, change or protection is drawing to an end. The final public consultation closes 2 April and after consideration by the full Council it will go to the Secretary of State for approval.

Working with other local associations, CADRA has secured long term protection for many of the green spaces north of the river and influenced many of the detailed planning policies for dealing with planning applications. It has been a major task and we were complemented in Council for being ‘assiduous’. Many thanks to all concerned.

Full details and maps can be found on the Reading Borough Website.

Some of the development sites in Reading remain controversial. North of the river, the only site earmarked for development is at Lowfield Road for 21 to 34 houses with the proviso to take account of the potential for contaminated land and not be detrimental to important landscape nearby.

A significant change is the provision for much needed affordable housing. Developments of five or more units will be required to provide a percentage of affordable housing within the scheme. This percentage will increase for larger schemes. Schemes for less than five units will make a financial contribution towards affordable housing elsewhere. The site of the former Caversham Laundry on George Street was also considered. Following revision of the flood map, this is now not suitable for housing. While CADRA have long opposed over development of this important site, we have raised concerns that it could now suffer planning blight.

Another far reaching strategic decision will be the Development Framework for the area around the station. This will be visible from Caversham and comes as far north as the river. There are some exciting ideas included. The framework anticipates the areas coming available for development and includes guidance on heights and massing for individual developments. It also covers civic open spaces, public art and green and pedestrian links. This is a shorter document and worth a look at click here .

All of these documents are also available at Planning Reception at the Civic Centre and currently in public libraries.

Caversham Lock

Reading Borough Council's Cabinet has agreed to offer a period of two years exclusivity to the Kings Meadow Campaign, during which time they will need to submit a planning application and ensure a firm financial footing. No public funds will be available to them. The Cabinet thanked CADRA for their detailed work and balanced perspective. Click here for further information

Local Development Framework and Site Allocations

External proposals for another twelve Reading sites were received and we were consulted on them. These include part of Reading Golf Club and Caversham Telephone Exchange.  Click here for further information

The Local Development Framework includes important issues for Caversham over the next 15 to 20 years. Click here to read what was originally proposed for Caversham and Emmer Green.Click here for documentation.

Licensing Act 2003

Consultation exercise in connection with Cumulative Impact Policy affecting premises licensed to sell alcohol in Reading town centre. Click here for details.

Bid to the Transport Innovation Fund for a Third Bridge across the Thames

Click here to read more about this.

Mapledurham Playing Fields

The Warren and District Residents' Association is currently in negotiation with Reading Borough Council regarding the refurbishment of the Pavilion.

Other current consultations of local interest:

1. Lock Island and King's Meadow Pool Development
2. Local Development Framework
3. Consultation on route 137 by Reading Buses
4. Proposed Changes to Number 9 Bus Route
5. Reading Central Area Action Plan
6. Climate Change Draft Proposals
7. Thames Water Price Review
8. Development Sites in Caversham and Emmer Green
9. Cycling Strategy
10. South Oxfordshire Planning Proposals
11. Reading's Independent Transport Commission publishes its report
12. Kings Meadow - planting, landscaping and play areas proposals
13. Government Planning Bill
14. Oxfordshire Minerals Plan Consultation - South of Chazey Woods Proposal
15. Mapledurham Playing Fields - results published