Kings Oak Miami’s application to add 72 flats to Great Brighams Mead has become the first to fall foul of Reading Borough Council’s Article 4 Direction.
The housebuilder, which bought the 84,840 sq ft office building early this year, already has Permitted Development Rights (PDR) to convert the building to 110 flats.
After being refused a PDR permission to add 72 flats in the Summer, Kings Oak made an amended application to add the same number in late September, again using the PDR rules.
However, a delegated decision, published by Reading Borough Council on November 21, has now refused the application, stating that due to the rules of the Article 4 Direction which came into force on November 15, the application would require planning permission.
The decision also stated the additional floors presented an ‘incongruous and boxy addition’ and would be detrimental to neighbouring properties.
The council confirmed to Thames Tap the decision is the first refusal of a scheme under the Article 4 Direction.
Image shows Great Brighams Mead as it is.
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