Fresh redevelopment bid for derelict shopping centre site

Bellway Homes has submitted a new altered application for the Underwood Road site in Calcot

A DERELICT shopping centre site in Calcot, dubbed “little Beirut” by locals due to its rapid deterioration over the last 10 years, has once again become the subject of a redevelopment bid.

Following a refusal of planning permission by West Berkshire Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee in December, Bellway Homes, who bought the site in Underwood Road, Calcot, last year, has altered it's proposal and re-submitted a planning application.

The original plan for 74 flats, a doctor's surgery and a shop has been dramatically scaled back, with the new development consisting of 39 dwellings and associated parking spaces, garages and gardens, and the reconfiguration of car parking for the Kennet Valley Free Church.

Upon lodging plans to build on the site last year Bellway became locked in a tussle with Holybrook Parish Council, Reading West MP Alok Sharma and the Underwood Road resident action group who were opposed to the scale of the proposed development.

At the planning committee meeting in December, Mary Bedwell, the chairwoman of Holybrook Parish Council, called it “high density cramming more suited to an inner city.”

She implored the developers to meet with residents and Holybrook Parish Council to come up with a more suitable plan for the 0.7 acre site, which had become an eyesore in the 10 intervening years since Sewards supermarket burned down.

Bellway took the advice on board and re-drew plans following meetings with councillors and the resident action group, and this week, upon submission of the plans, it said it said it had the backing of those consultees.

James McConnell, the regional planning director for Bellway, said: “We reduced the number of units substantially, and it is now predominantly a housing development.

“We sat down with a number of consultees, councillors, the parish council and the resident action group.

“If we can make this work then we can get a formal development that is satisfactory to Bellway, the residents and the councillors, then that seems to be a favourable position to be in.

“It's a two-storey development that sits quite comfortably with the site. We think it integrates well with the feel and character of the area.”

The previous application was criticised by Thames Valley Police for a design which could lead to an increase in crime in the surrounding area, and issue which Mr McConnell said had been resolved following talks with officers.

Mrs Bedwell said a public meeting was to be held by Holybrook Parish Council at the Holybrook Community Centre, Holymead, on Wednesday, May 18 at 7.45pm.

She implored residents to attend to give their views on the new application.

Consultations for the application are due to end on July 8.