Controversial plans to build homes in Tilehurst look set to be refused by council planning bosses.

The plans to build a block of six flats on open space beside Thorpe House in Colliers Way have prompted more than 50 objections from neighbours, describing the plans as “greedy”, “unsuitable” and “unacceptable”.

The plans for the block include three bedrooms in each of the flats and would see the bungalow at 16 Kirton Close, which encloses the cul-de-sac, demolished and replaced with a roadway and three parking spaces.

Reading Borough Council officers have recommended the plans be refused at Wednesday night's planning meeting on six grounds including overdevelopment, loss of open space and a lack of affordable housing.

One neighbour said the plans will cause “absolute chaos to all surrounding roads”.

They added: “To build on this small piece of land, in an already over-populated estate is ridiculous, makes no sense and goes against the wishes of the residents that like living here.”

Another said parking is “already at breaking point”.

Neighbours and council officers both say the plans will:

• Alter the character of Kirton Close as it will no longer be a cul-del-sac
• Destroy a valuable piece of green space used by young children
• Make the popular footpath unsafe by allowing cars access cross it
• Impact on privacy of neighbours

In a report to the planning committee council officers said the scale of the building was “jarring”.

The developer has fenced off the open space, which they say is private land, “to prevent fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour”.

Council officers say the loss of this open space is not policy compliant but the developer says it will continue to fence off the area if the plans are refused.

Some 26 Kirton Close neighbours signed a petition opposing the plans, with another 21 people at Appleby Road putting forward their own petition.

More than 50 people have written to the council stating their objections.

Two previous plans for the site were rejected.

Plans from The Cardiff Property PLC to demolish 16 Kirton Close and build 18 flats were refused in 2017.

Revised proposals at the site from Thames Valley Retirement Homes (TVRH) reducing the number of flats to 14 were refused in 2018, with a planning inspector also rejecting the developer’s appeal.

The latest plan has been put forward by TVRH and will be voted on at the Planning Applications committee at 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 4.