Tilehurst, Reading, Berks

DESCRIPTION / LOCATION:  A fully enclosed and surfaced valuable mixed use commercial/residential site in a riverside setting on the western outskirts of Reading towards Pangbourne.  The site is level and generally cleared.  There is some privacy with established trees on some boundaries.  

Owing to the adjoining River Thames, we suggest this site may suit a family wishing to instal 4-5 Park Homes, each in about 1/5 – 1/4 acre. 

A sketch scheme providing for 14 park homes has been prepared and is at a density significantly less than the adjoining riverside park developments. A buyer will need to consider whether a scheme broadly speaking similar to the adjoining riverside park development (27 properties on 1.33 acres) might receive planning permission or whether an alternative use is preferred. 

Lawful Planning Use* includes:

1.   A residential building  2.  A mixed (sui generis) use site for 11 static caravans for residential use, commercial storage, the sale and repair of motor vehicles, buying and selling of scrap.

Adjoining the towpath of the River Thames on the western outskirts of Reading. 

Adjoining a residential mobile park home site with 27 properties on 1.33 acres.

SERVICES: Mains electricity: SSE. Water supply is via a bore hole on site. A new drainage system has been installed. 

PLANNING: The property is within the administration area of Reading Borough Council.

HISTORY & CURRENT: We now refer in more detail to three Certificates of Lawful Use or Development.

1. Application number 06/00834/CLE/KS1 dated 8 September 2006. A copy of this Certificate is available in the Legal Pack. 

Schedule One refers to Certificate of Lawfulness for “existing use of site as a showman’s yard and winter quarters.”

Schedule Two: Fairground caravans, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading.  The Certificate states:

“Sufficient evidence has been submitted to prove, on the balance of probability, that the property has been used for storage, maintenance and testing of fairground rides and stalls (14 rides and 9 stalls in total)”.

Storage and maintenance of fairground associated vehicles (12 tractor units, 2 box lorries, 2 generator trailers, 4 box trailers, 4 large caravans for the Meech family and 7 smaller caravans for employees)

Residential occupation of 4 mobile homes and 2 caravans.

Repair and sale of motor vehicles by Mr Meech.

For a period in excess of 10 years.

2.A Certificate of Lawful Use or Development, Application number 19844. Decision 12 May 2020. On the basis of the available information and on the balance of probabilities, it is confirmed that the building as shown on the following plans:

Location Plan – Plans as existing residential – Residential building D1316-02- Received 11 November 2019.

Has been in continuous use as a single dwelling house (Use Class C3) for a period exceeding 4 years and is therefore immune to enforcement action.  It is therefore considered that a Certificate of Lawfulness should be granted.

3. Certificate of Lawful Use dated 1 May 2020. First schedule - Certificate of Lawfulness of existing use of land as a mixed (sui generis) use site comprising:

11 static caravans for residential use.

Commercial storage including associated vehicles and machinery.

The storage, maintenance and testing of fairground rides, stalls and associated vehicles.

The sale and repair of motor vehicles.

The buying and selling of scrap metal.

The reasoning behind the issue of a Certificate of Lawful Use of Development stated on the basis of the available information and on the balance of probabilities, it is considered that the mixed use (sui generis use class) of the land as a caravan site (the stationing of caravans for human habitation) and various commercial activities has been in continuous use for a period exceeding 10 years and is therefore immune to enforcement action.  It is therefore considered a Certificate of Lawfulness should be granted. 

Tenure: The property is held freehold with vacant possession. 

VIEWING: By appointment with the Owner’s Sole Agents ,Martin & Pole, Wokingham