New measures to protect historic buildings in Reading
Last updated 4th Dec 2020
Your favourite buildings in Reading could soon get more protection, under plans to increase the number of buildings locally listed in Reading.
Reading Borough Council (RBC) has approved a new policy for determining which buildings and structures (e.g. statues and fountains) are added to the list, which is currently 15-strong.
The process will be more transparent and public and the council hopes this will mean buildings are added to the list more frequently.
There are currently already proposals from local conversation groups to add two dozen more buildings to the list.
Applications have recently been submitted for local listing include The Queens Head pub on Christchurch Road and Attwells’ Drinking fountain on the Thames Promenade.
What is local listing and what will change?
Buildings that are not listed by Historic England (Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II) can be placed on a local list by the council.
Unlike nationally listed buildings, they do not have statutory protection, but the interest of the building must be considered during the planning process.
There are 13 buildings currently on the list, including the closed Arthur Hill swimming pool, Gillette’s HQ and an arts and crafts-inspired 19th century Church.
Currently, anyone can prepare a nomination using the criteria Reading’s Local Plan, but nominations forms are not currently available on the council’s website.
You can nominate a building however, by visiting this link: http://www.readingcivicsociety.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Local-Listing-Blank-Form.docx.
Buildings are usually nominated in response to a potential development proposal, such as in the case of the former Drews Ironmongers building.
The decision is then made by council officers in consultation with councillor Tony Page, the council’s lead member for Planning, with little input by the local community.
Cllr Page said the current process has been “very reactive” but the council “now has more resources to be more proactive”, with the establishment of the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC) and the appointment of a Conservation and Urban Design Officer.
Under the new system, a report will be brought to the monthly-held Planning Applications committee after nominations are assessed by the council’s Conservation Officer in consultation with RCAAC.
Ward councillors, local groups and the landowner will be consulted with before a decision is made at a public meeting of the Planning Applications committee.