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Sites and Detailed Policies Document - January 2012

The SDPD has been under the scrutiny of a government-appointed Inspector to determine its 'soundness'. The Bath Road Reservoir is mentioned in this document as being suitable to accomodate 'up to 80 dwellings', which is far above what STBRR and the local community feel is acceptable. Despite this, Thames Water were present every day during the 6-day Inquiry, repeatedly insisting that the site can accomodate more than 80 dwellings. This is highly suspicious because their latest proposals are only for 77-79 units. What are they plotting?

Thames Water displayed their latest proposals at a public consultation on Saturday 24th September 2011.

General feedback so far is that Thames Water have still failed entirely to listen to the views of the local community. The article in the Reading Post from 28/9/2011 indicates this quite clearly.

The consultation board PDF is available here. Of interest is that sea levels are used as a measurement (p8) which was confusing for the majority of people, rather than simple metre comparisons between Western Road and the proposed new development. In addition, the heights detailed on p10 in the table with the 'before' and 'after' figures are very misleading - the 'new building heights' shows only the maximum heights that the rejected appeal had proposed. The real figures show that the actual heights proposed give a range, and all the new figures are still at the upper end of this range. Thames Water have deliberately skewed their figures to make it look like they have reduced all the heights when in fact they have not done this. The 'focal buildings' proposed height is now 11m. The Inspector specifically objected to these buildings because their height would realistically end up being 10 - 12m, which in her opinion would be too high. The proposed height is still 11m which goes against one of her key reasons for dismissing the appeal. It would appear that TW have made a big thing about reducing storeys and unit numbers - but they haven't actually changed the heights which is what people were really objecting to in the first place.

We also heard concerns raised on Saturday about lack of acceptable amenity space/community facilities; inappropriate location for a play area; overlooking of Western Road due to the dorma windows; overspill parking on Western Road due to the pedestrian access proposed between Western Road and the new development, and potential increase in crime from turning Western Road into a much more frequented street from the new development.

Please see the HELP link to see how you can leave feedback if you have not already done so

Thames Water to submit new plans in Autumn 2011

August 2011: STBRR met with Thames Water on 24th August to view the company's progress with their revised plans. They have partnered with Bewley Homes, meaning that they now have a developer already, should planning permission be granted this time. They will be submitting a detailed planning application this time (rather than an outline one) which means that ALL parameters - things like height of the development platform, exact heights of buildings, exact numbers of units - will be included, so the Council will know exactly what they are dealing with rather than leaving a huge list of issues for the 'reserved matters' stage. They have also abandoned plans to convert the Water Tower into office blocks, because the Inspector strongly objected to the extension they wanted to put onto the back of the building. Instead, they now plan to convert this building into apartments, with no extensions and no major alterations to the outside of the building. The revised plans have also eliminated the 4-storey buildings that the Inspector so strongly objected to, contributing to the decrease in number of units. The approximate total units at the moment (still subject to change) is 79 including the 5 flats proposed within the Water Tower. The plans are still being finalised so we still do not know whether the proposed development platform will be reduced from .75m, and what heights the 3-storey buildings are proposed to be, and the exact number of units, so we have limited our comments at this time - please see BBC Berkshire News. However we still have significant concerns around the heights of some of the proposed buildings - we think they would still tower over the small houses and flat blocks that surround the site - and we still think that 79-ish units is too much for this site. The Labour councillors have officially made it known that they think around 53 units would be a more appropriate number, and we agree.

Thames Water will be holding a public consultation to display their plans on 24th September in Downshire Square hall between approximately 2 - 6 pm and we would strongly encourage everyone in the vicinity to attend and express their views. The whole point of a consultation is that you as the local community can make a difference - please come along and look at the plans, and if you still find them completely unacceptable and inappropriate then please make your views known. If an overwhelming number of local residents object to issues such as density and heights then, if the voice of the local community means anything at all, Thames Water will be compelled to listen and amend their plans to make them more acceptable.

Appeal decision issued Jan 14th 2011.

The Inspector dismissed both appeals, concluding that the benefits of the proposed scheme would not "outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the site and the wider area", citing in particular the "significant mass" of the 3 and 4 storey buildings which would "sit uncomfortably within the development"; that the setting of the heritage assets would be unacceptably harmed, and that the proposal failed to "preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building". The full decision details can be found here

We hope now that Thames Water will finally go back to the drawing board and start taking local views into account in coming up with something that is sympathetic and appropriate for the site. We would like to thank everyone who made a contribution to the campaign for your help and support. The story continues......

Public Inquiry concluded on 26th November 2010

Following Thames Water's decision to appeal against the unanimous rejection of their hugely unpopular application, a public inquiry was held at the Town Hall in Reading.

It started on Tuesday 16th November and lasted 8 days.

The Barrister representing the Council was David Lintott; witnesses were called from NLP, and they stressed the damage that would be caused to the attractive Grade II Water Tower if the proposed extension was permitted, and the damage that would be caused to the building's setting by the height, scale and massing of the proposed buildings which would loom up behind it and the pumping station. They also highlighted how the proposed application has failed to take into account the context and character of the local area
Paul Brown QC represented Thames Water; he called witnesses to speak about planning, design, transport and heritage matters.
STBRR appeared as a 'Rule 6(6) party'. We called witnesses on transport, ecology and sustainability matters, and we focussed on the loss of ecology and biodiversity, the impact on traffic to the Bath Road, the safety issues around the proposed access since trees block most of the visibility to the West and it would involve crossing a bus lane; we also put a case forward about the damage it would do to our close-knit community, and tried to get our point across about the cumulative impact - all issues taken into account (rather than considered in isolation as often happens in the planning process) would result in a development that would be hugely detrimental to the area and would bring no benefit. We also stressed that we are not anti-development, and would welcome a more sensitive proposal that was in keeping with the character of the local area rather than driven by a desire to cram as many units into an area as possible.
Alok Sharma MP, Councillors Gittings and Ruhemann, and Lord Stoddart all spoke out in opposition to the proposals. Alok urged the Inspector to be mindful of the new emerging government legislation designed to give local communities a say in developments in their area. A number of local residents spoke, including the landlady of the local pub who admitted she would probably benefit from the proposed development - but that despite this she still didn't want it because of the damage it would cause to the area; the local neighbourhood watch coordinator talked about the special nature of this unique place known as the 'Village of RG1' and our communal garden and chickens, and the quiet and safe nature of the area which would be lost.
2 site visits took place, the second covering a wider area to give the Inspector a good understanding of the area.

Her decision - whether to dismiss or uphold the appeal is now due on 25th January 2011. It was postponed from 10th January due to the governmental changes around Regional Strategies - they were abolished in July 2010 by Eric Pickles, reinstated in October after a judicial review requested by Cala Homes, but the coalition government confirmed, in November, their intention to still abolish them in the immediate future. If you wish to find out more, please download this letter
We will keep you posted as to when the new decision date is announced.

Thames Water appeal against Reservoir decision - May 2010

Despite the RBC Planning Committee's unanimous rejection of their planning application to a packed Council Chamber on 4th October last year, at a meeting described by attendees as "electrifying", and despite the clear widespread public and political opposition to their application, Thames Water have submitted an appeal to challenge the Council decision.

In the face of clear and widespread opposition - public, local councillors and politicians - one might have expected Thames Water to take a step back, consider their reputation and their relationship with their customers, and their duty to the environment of Reading, and to fundamentally rethink their plans for the Bath Road site. Instead, demonstrating a total disregard for the feelings of the surrounding community, the decision of the local Council, and a complete indifference to the environmental impact of the proposal, Thames Water are challenging the rejection of their application to demolish and concrete over the Bath Road Reservoir site.

The result of this calculated, self-serving appeal is that the application will now be heard at a Public Inquiry, and the fate of the Reservoir site will be in the hands of a Government Inspector who has been appointed to consider it.
The Inquiry will take place on 16th November and will last for 10 working days.

The proposed development plans include 96 new homes. In addition:
  • The out-of-character conversion of the Grade II listed Water Tower into offices;
  • Removal of ALL embankments;
  • The complete demolition of the entire site as it stands today;
  • The introduction of buildings over 3 storeys high, which will dwarf and overshadow the surrounding properties.

Visits from Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman

Grant Shapps, Shadow Housing Minister, visited the Reservoir site on April 14th 2010, and voiced his support for the campaign. Mr Shapps said that he would like to scrap the centrally-imposed housing density targets, and allow local communities to have more say on development in their area.

Ms Harman visited the site on Sunday 11th April and also spoke out in favour of the campaign, stating that the need for housing should not necessitate building on open green spaces such as the reservoir site.

Reading 2030 Draft Vision

April 2010: The RBC sustainability team are currently running a consultation called the 'Draft Vision for Reading', inviting local people to have their say on the development of Reading over the next 2 decades. They have produced a draft document with their ideas so far, and this document is open for comments and thoughts until 16th April.
Given the current situation with the Site Allocations (ie that the Council are still recommending the Reservoir as suitable for housing despite mass opposition to any development on the site), we feel that some of the claims made in the Vision of Reading document are incorrect -
eg 'we cherish our environment'...'The parks, gardens, open spaces, waterways and natural environments are highly valued'
and 'People .... are involved in the decisions and activities that shape it.' ...'Everyone is valued for the contribution they make'
If you also feel this to be the case, please do take the time to comment (using the link on the right hand side of the web page, which will take you to the comments form).

See help page for other ways to help

Campaign goes to 10 Downing Street!


STBRR campaign member Mel was nominated as a Community Champion by Martin Salter as a recognition for the good work done by the Campaign in helping to promote community engagement and improve the quality of life in Reading.
See Martin's website for more details

Disappointing reply from Thames Water

The campaign received this rather lame letter from Thames Water in response to our request to meet and re-open negotiations. From the response it is evident that Thames Water have no intention of reaching any compromise, are still failing to consider the local community (and their customers), and are still putting profits above everything else.

Nov 2009 - letter to Thames Water

The Save the Bath Road Reservoir Group have sent this letter to the Chief Exec of Thames Water, hoping to re-open negotiations and come to an agreement that will bring benefit to the local community rather than being focussed solely on lining Thames Water's pockets... we will keep you posted!

Planning Committee meeting 04/11/09


The Planning Committee met this evening and finalised the reasons for the rejection of the application.

The officer's report with the 12 reasons for refusal can be found here

It is in the best interests of everyone (the planning committee, the planning officers, and the Save the Bath Road Reservoir campaign) that these reasons cover ALL of the planning grounds that justify why the application is unsuitable for the site, because then if Thames Water appeal, the government will then not be able to overrule it, and we won't end up with a potentially similar or worse development.

The planning committee declared not only that they were satisfied with the finalised report, but also that they hope Thames Water will now, rather than going to appeal, will take a step back, reconsider, and work with local people to come up with a proposal that is sensitive, appropriate, and which makes good their claims of 'putting the environment at the heart of everything we do'

This remains to be seen... We will keep you posted!

Press articles

BBC Berkshire

Reading Chronicle

Green Party

Winslet Family support reservoir campaign

Roger Winslet (Musician and local supporter of the campaign) said: "I think it is monstrous that yet again, the powers that be are disregarding not only the wishes of the people who live in the immediate area, but also those of all community-spirited residents of the town, by totally ignoring their point of view"

7th October 2009 - Application rejected!

Thames Water's application to redevelop the Bath Road Reservoir site was unanimously REJECTED by the RBC planning committee at their meeting on Weds 7th October 2009. The opposition speakers (Phil and Graham from the STBRR campaign), Alok Sharma, and Lord Stoddart delivered some excellent speeches to a packed council chamber that had not seen such a large audience in a number of years.

In contrast, Thames Water's speech caused some audible mirth and at times incredulity at the ludicrous claims they made as to why their proposed development would benefit the local area.

Our 2 local councillors both spoke eloquently in defence of the site, with phrases such as 'it would squeeze the life out of this unique community', and urging Thames Water to seize this opportunity to turn it into a valuable wildlife centre and educational resource for schoolchildren to benefit from.

Martin Salter MP set a precedent by demanding to speak, and being granted permission (normally MPs are not allowed to speak at planning committee meetings) - this in particular shows the high-profile status of this campaign.

The discerning members of the planning committee clearly were not going to stand for any of Thames Water's nonsense, and at the end of the meeting which went on for 3 hours (another record), after much grilling, debate and consideration they all, every single member, voted to support the local and wider community, and rejected the application.

See our latest press release for more info!

Chronicle article:

Martin Salter's website

Planning application

The planning application to demolish the entire site and all the wildlife and biodiversity contained therein will be heard at the next planning committee meeting on Wednesday 7th October at 6.30pm

In a show of total disregard for the views of all local residents and politicians, the planning officers at RBC have decided to recommend the application for approval this time around.
Please help us try to halt the proposed destruction of this beautiful 150-year-old site - see here for details

Oct 1st 2009 - the Chronicle speaks out in favour of our campaign!

Chronicle exclusive!

Rose Harland of the Reading Chronicle interviews local residents and writes an excellent article about the site

Street Party held on 5th September

Reading West Conservatives coverage

4th August 2009: 'Revised' (though barely different) planning application submitted to redevelop the Bath Road Reservoir

The application consists of demolishing the entire site and all the wildlife contained therein, then building 96 dwellings and converting the listed Water Tower into primarily office space plus car parking
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL IS 14th SEPT
Please see the following links on the Council website: Thames Water claim in their press release to have taken into account the views of local residents, yet this could not be further from the truth. Yet again they have refused any form of compromise, and the application is materially no different to the previous one.
See our press release on the matter, which is considerably more accurate.
Each individual correspondence can make a difference, so please help!

Residents appear on TV, supported by local politicians.

BBC South Today came to visit on Saturday 15th August. They interviewed members of the campaign and local children.

GetReading speaks out in favour of our campaign!

In the editorial of the GetReading local paper (formally known as the Evening Post), the popular local newspaper openly slams Thames Water's plans to destroy yet another of the rapidly dwindling town centre green spaces.

Putney MP offers support for campaign

Justine Greening, shadow minister for communities and local government, visited the site on 26th June, met local residents and spoke out in support of the campaign.
More information can be found here
Click here to see the press release.

Newsround publish article by local Schoolgirl


Schoolgirl and local resident Holly wrote to Thames Water along with her fellow classmates. Her letter was chosen to appear on the Newsround website. The article can be found here

Local Schoolchildren write to Thames Water voicing their 'disgust' about the proposed plans

The class of 5ER at Saint Mary and All Saints primary in Coley were so concerned when they heard about the plight of the reservoir and all its wildlife, they have all written some heart-wrenching and beautifully-worded letters to Thames Water, urging them to think of the animals, the pollution, the traffic, the environment, and not to develop on the site

What sort of a Reading are we going to be leaving to these children?

If this mentality of development at all costs is allowed to continue, these future generations will be left with a soulless concrete town with no sense of heritage or community

We hope these letters make Thames Water feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Check out the first, second , third and fourth set of letters. More to be posted up soon - watch this space....

Reading Chronicle article from 4th June

Reading Post article

Online article at GetReading.co.uk

Thames Water display 'revised' plans on 14th and 16th May

16th May 2009: This week Thames Water held what can only loosely be described as a public 'consultation' in Downshire Square Church Hall.

TW only managed to send out ~65 letters inviting people to this event. Fortunately for the other 500+ residents who would also be detrimentally affected by this development, they got to hear about it through our publicity for our own event
The plans have changed very little; they are still:

  • massively out of scale with the surrounding area
  • a significant deviation from the recommendations in the 1996 Planning Brief
  • removing a vitally important 'green lung' from an area known to be deficient in green space
  • at odds with the Council's ecological/biodiversity objectives
  • contradictory to Thames Water's own publicised commitment to biodiversity
  • offering no benefits whatsoever to residents of the surrounding area

Thames Water have chosen to continue to ignore the views of residents and the vigorous campaigning by local residents and councillors, urging them to spare the site or at least scale down the development, and are still intent on total demolition of the site and all the wildlife contained therein

Furthermore the questionnaire was unfairly worded, focussing on the detail of the development with no option to actually object to it taking place. Almost certainly designed to confuse, and lead unwitting and unsuspecting residents into accidental acceptance of the proposed scheme

PUBLIC MEETING held on Weds 13th May

Alok Sharma, Paul Gittings and members of the Save The Bath Road Reservoir Group addressed a packed hall of concerned residents

Martin Salter was unable to attend but still gives the Campaign his full support and sent this letter
Check out the articles on the BBC news website and in the local press: the Reading Post and the Reading Chronicle

Missed the meeting? Download our handy summary View the article

Reservoir in the news - May 2009

New housing plans

Reservoir site features no.1 in Reading Borough Council Site Allocations Development Plan for re-designation

RBC are currently preparing their Local Development Framework, part of which will be the Site Allocations Development Plan
As per the RBC website: "This will allocate land for a range of uses to support the spatial strategy for the Borough, which is set out in the Core Strategy. It will include sites for development as well as sites for protection and other designations"
The good news is, the Reservoir site ALREADY features on their list of sites where existing designations (ie featuring in local plan of 1996) have been recommended to be reviewed.

--> Update April 2009:

Awaiting results of public comments and input into this strategy

24/11/08 Thames Water have WITHDRAWN their planning application to redevelop the Bath Road Reservoir site!

The decision was apparently taken "following discussions with the Council's Planning Department"
Only a minor victory for us, since a new application "will be submitted next year", but significant all the same because we managed to stop Thames Water from, in their very own words (quoting their Design & Access Statement for application 08/01104/OUT), "riding roughshod over the opinions and feelings of the local community"
 See press release from Martin Salter
and press release from Alok Sharma
See also the objection statement from the Save the Bath Road Reservoir Committee, submitted to the Council in October
and the letter from the Council advising that the application would be recommended for refusal

What can we do in the meantime?

We can try to get the Council to re-designate the site and award it the protection it deserves - please see the HELP link for information on what you can do to help....

Planning Application submitted on 19/08: 'Hybrid planning application for the redevelopment of the former Thames Water Reservoir site to include an Outline application for 101 residential units (access only) and a Full planning application for the conversion and extension of the Grade II Listed Water Tower for B1(a) office use'.

If this application is permitted, it will make way for the indiscriminate destruction of the ENTIRE site, thus allowing the mindless annihilation of rare wildlife, the further pollution of the already comtaminated air along the Bath Road, and the total and senseless destruction of the safety, the peacefulness, and the character of the 'Village of RG1' as we know it.
The 'Associated Documents' link already boasts a comprehensive list of how Thames Water and their litigious-happy consultants Broadway Malyan intend to completely annihilate this unique site.
PLEASE see the How You Can Help link for details on what YOU can do to help prevent this mass slaughter on Reading's rapidly dwindling green spaces.

22/9/08 - Anger over latest wildlife site plan - photo shoot with supporting politicians Alok Sharma, Terry Byrne and Jo Lovelock

Click here to view the Reading Post article 25/9/08 and here to view the Reading Chronicle article 26/9/08.

Press Release from Martin Salter

In their greed for profits, Thames Water have rejected the plea to spare half of the reservoir site; Martin Salter announces his intention to campaign against Thames Water's proposals for the site and accuses Thames Water of putting profits above the environment.

Click here to see the press release he sent out on 18th July 2008

Click here to see the related Reading Post article dated 23rd July 2008


Martin Salter writes to the chair of the planning committee at RBC, announcing his concerns over Thames Water's plans for the site

Click here to download the letter


Environmental Impact Assessment

The Save the Bath Road Reservoir Committee writes to RBC urging them to reconsider their decision to waive the requirement for Thames Water to carry out a full Environmental Impact Assessment of the site

Click here to view the letter


Martin Salter tells Thames Water to go back to the drawing board or face continued bad publicity

Martin wrote to the Director of Communications at Thames Water in March 2008 urging them to rethink their plans for the site. Click here to view the letter


Local resident runs the Reading half marathon as badger to raise awareness for the Save The Bath Road Reservoir campaign

Phil Birch and Mel Woodward ran the marathon on Sunday in 2 hours 32 minutes to raise awareness. Phil sported a flag with the website address. The pair received lots of support along the way and were featured in the local press

See also the BBC Berkshire RHM2008 photo

And click on the thumbnail below to view a larger picture of the coverage in the Evening Post

Reading MP Martin Salter supports Reservoir campaign, and tells Thames Water to rethink their plans or face yet more bad publicity

Click here to see the press release he sent out on 26th Feb

Photo shoot with support from local politicians Terry Byrne and Alok Sharma - 4th Feb 2008


See Press Release

Letters to the press

The reservoir site is well loved by all who are aware of its existence and as such, the insensitive proposals from Thames Water have generated many strong feelings, many of which have been expressed in letters to the local press. Click here to view a selection of these letters.

Letters to the press