Reading Driving Test Centre to be demolished for new flats

The Reading Driving Test Centre is one of only three such facilities in Berkshire, the other two being in Newbury and Slough

One of Berkshire's three driving test centres is set to be demolished and replaced with 16 flats.

The decision to flatten the centre in Katesgrove, Reading, comes after an inspector overturned Reading Borough Council's objections to the scheme.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it was committed to having a test facility in Reading and hoped to confirm a new location soon.

The other two Berkshire driving test centres are in Newbury and Slough.

The plans for the flats had been previously turned down over a "poor and insecure choice of layout", an insufficient amount of family-sized homes and fears a cycle storage building was "at risk of break-ins".

But property developer Maxika Homes won permission in an appeal to the government's planning inspector.

The government inspector argued the housing mix was appropriate and met the housing need in Reading

Worries over a lack of amenity space were rebuffed by the inspector who pointed out the site's proximity to Waterloo Meadows park, which he described as "a substantial area of public open space".

"Whilst not providing the benefits of private space, this would then help mitigate against the inadequacy of any on-site outdoor amenity space and provide the future residents with acceptable living conditions," the inspector added.

Other conditions on the development include Maxika Homes providing 16 bicycle and 12 car parking spaces.

A DVSA spokesperson said it was its "priority" to tackle waiting times and ensure learners are ready to pass.

"While we are aware that the landlord of our current driving test centre in Reading has been granted permission to redevelop the site, DVSA intends to retain a test centre in Reading and we will confirm the new location as soon as possible," they added.

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