The church failed in a bid to build homes in Reading town centre – because it would annoy drinkers at a 19th Century pub.

The Oxford Diocese submitted a planning application to develop an area of four lock-up garages behind 55-56 St Mary’s Butts into shops and flats, close to the Allied Arms pub.

But councillors said the boozer, which operated as a brewery as early as 1827, was one of Reading’s best and should not suffer because of the church’s proposal for a three-storey building.

Landlord of the Allied Arms Stephen Rolls said the proposed development would shade the pub’s garden.

Mr Rolls, speaking at the Reading Borough Council planning committee last Wednesday said: “We have a large garden. A three-storey building will mean a great amount of natural light [to the garden] will be gone forever. This will be to the detriment of ourselves and our patrons.”

He also said people living in the new homes might be irritated by noise from his pub and other nearby bar venues including Mango and Déjà Vu, whose music he described as “quite annoying”.

Cllr Tony Page, deputy leader of Reading Borough Council, supported Mr Rolls.

“This is a well-run pub which hardly ever sees a police officer,” Cllr Page said.

“There are no complaints about the pub. This is simply not a sensible site for residential development.

“I am appealing for the Oxford Diocese to see sense. I know there are pressures on us all and especially the church.”

He said it was a “balancing act” between supporting town centre residents and businesses and in this case it was not sensible to develop housing.

Nigel Garratt, an architect speaking on behalf of the Oxford Diocese, urged councillors to take “a positive view” of the application, which involved demolishing a number of garages and building apartments and possibly shops, a gallery and/or business.

Council planning officer Katie Parsons, who recommended the application was refused, said: “The application has failed to demonstrate that occupiers of the residential units would not experience unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance from uses surrounding the site for extended periods of the day.

“The proposed development would adversely affect the enjoyment of the amenity space to the rear of the Allied Arms public house.”

anna.roberts@reading-epost.co.uk

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