142-144, Whitley Wood Lane, Reading, RG2 8PP

Summary

The site comprises a rectangular shaped parcel of land of about 0.077 hectares (0.191 acres). On the site are a pair of two storey semi-detached buildings (nos. 142 and 144) with no 142 having been extended alongside with a single storey building plus further workshop buildings to the rear. There is an open forecourt and frontage to Whitley Wood Lane and a return frontage to Whitley Wood Road.

The main part of the property was built circa 1900 out of solid brick walls, part rendered, and under a largely pitched slated roof (nos. 142 and 144). The single storey buildings are built mainly out of concrete block walls with flat felt and asbestos roof coverings. The two main buildings are in poor condition.

The main ground floor of the property was last in retail use. The upper floor was last in residential use. To the rear is a secure yard with concrete block-built workshops last used for bike repairs and sales.

Vehicular access to the secure rear yard with off road parking is available off Whitley Wood Road.

Please refer to the particulars of sale for details of the accommodation.

Key Points

Viewings

Please refer to the particulars of sale for the Block Viewing dates.

Services

We are advised that mains electricity, water and drainage services are connected to the property. There is no gas supply directly into the property. Prospective purchasers are advised to make their own independent enquiries of the individual authorities to verify the capacity and availability of such services.

Tenure

The property is currently vacant and will be sold freehold with full vacant possession given on completion.

Rateable Value

The property’s Rateable Value is £12,000 for no 142 and £9,400 for no 144.

The residential element is registered for Council Tax under Band B for No 144A.

Rating Authority: Reading Borough Council.

Planning and Development Potential

The property is vacant and in poor repair. We understand it’s current lawful planning use falls within Use Class A1 (Shops) for the ground floor of nos 142 and 144. The lawful planning use of the upper parts of nos. 142 and 144 is residential within Use Class C3. The rear of the property offers various workshop areas which are ancillary to the main uses.

Buyers should satisfy themselves as to the lawfulness of any use and the property’s development potential with the Local Planning Authority (Reading Borough Council).

The property was subject recently to a planning application for residential development. This would have required demolishing all the current buildings and erecting a three-storey building with 9 no flats reduced subsequently to 8 no flats (6 x two-beds and 2 x one-beds) providing some 532 square metre (or 5,725 square feet) of Use Class C3 residential accommodation. All the flats were to be private with a payment paid to the Local Planning Authority in lieu of delivering on site affordable flats.

Despite what we understand was a favourable pre-app discussion with the Local Planning Authority, the application was eventually withdrawn. The plans and other documents detailing the pre-app discussions and the development proposal are contained within the Information Pack but do note the vendor does not have copyright to these drawings.

It is our view the property remains ripe for some form of residential development along the lines of the above scheme but there is scope for an alternative residential or commercial redevelopment scheme subject to planning permission. In addition, the property should also appeal to commercial occupiers seeking a building with a significant amount of usable and flexible floor space with valuable workshops and a secure yard with off road parking.

Any planning related queries should be directed to the Local Planning Authority:

Reading Borough Council
Civic Offices
Bridge Street
Reading
Berkshire RG1 2LU
Telephone: 0118 974 6000
Web: www.reading.gov.uk

Method of Sale: Offers and Overage

Please refer to the particulars of sale for full details on the Method of Sale.

Information Pack

A copy of the Information Pack can be obtained on application from Haslams Surveyors LLP. Please call 0118 921 1500 for access details.

The Information Pack includes:

Land Registry and Title Plans (BK140168 and BK 333119)
Ordnance Survey plan
Existing Plans
Planning history summary and pre-app documents
Planning application drawings for the 8 no and 9 no flat schemes along with other application documents
Landmark Soilsolutions desk top report
Energy Performance Certificate
Photographs

Viewing and All Other Enquiries

Please refer to the particulars of sale for the Block Viewing Dates.

Location