Community Consultation on the St Peters Conservation Area

A COMMUNITY consultation on a boundary extension to the St Peters Conservation Area begins this week (Wednesday 11th July).

New developments and alterations in a conservation area have to take into account the area’s special architectural and historical qualities and are required to make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the area. Caversham and District Residents Association - with assistance from the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Historic England and Reading Borough Council - has undertaken a review of the existing St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal, originally published in 2009. As well as survey and various studies of the area, it has also updated the history and other information included in the original appraisal. Following consultation with the local community, the association has now prepared a draft updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal. The Caversham and District Residents Association and Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee is now starting a community consultation exercise, beginning with hosting a stand at the Caversham Church Fete at Caversham Court Gardens on Saturday 14th July beginning at 1 p.m. Members will be available to discuss the proposed boundary extension to the conservation area and the updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal. Cllr Tony Page

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“This is an important local community consultation exercise by the Caversham and District Residents Association which will help determine the future boundaries of the conservation area and what is included in the updated appraisal document. I would urge as many local residents as possible to make some time to familiarise themselves with the updated documents and respond to the consultation.” The full, updated St Peters Conservation Area Appraisal can be found on the Council’s website at: www.reading.gov.uk/stpeterscaconsultation from Wednesday (July 11th) onwards and at the Caversham Library, during normal opening hours. Supporting documents, such as detailed plans showing the proposed boundary and an information sheet are also available online and at the library. Written responses to the consultation should be sent to: planningpolicy@reading.gov.uk or Planning Policy Team, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU. The consultation deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday 14th September 2018. Comments will be considered and any amendments will be made to the proposed extension to the conservation area as appropriate, before the final proposal is presented to committee members for adoption in November 2018.