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This week, a number of big planning decisions have been made in Reading following a meeting of the council’s planning committee.
Two plans dominated discussion during the meeting.
The first was the Reading Metropolitan scheme, which involves building 620 homes at the former Royal Mail depot site at 80 Caversham Road.
After that, the committee approved a plan for a new Fat Twins burger takeaway in Oxford Road at the corner of Zinzan Street, depsite neighbour complaints that food odours and litter from existing takeaways have been making life unpleasant.
READ MORE: Reading council plan laying out vision for next three years approved
The committee also approved a plan to replace Ranikhet Academy in Tilehurst.
Although that application proved largely uncontroversial, it still involves the wholesale reconstruction of the school.
You can see tweet coverage from it here:
Reading Borough Council’s planning committee is currently in session #LDReporter . You can watch along live here https://t.co/zehMLDUA1U
— James Aldridge (@jamesAjourno) March 30, 2022
Meanwhile, three other plans were decided at the meeting, which you can see in this roundup below.
You can view them by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal here: http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp
Plan to convert storage building into two bedroom apartment approved (200931)
22a Waylen Street, Reading, which will be converted into a flat. Credit: Reading Borough Council
Here, applicant Neil Marshall applied to convert a building that is currently being used as storage and a distribution centre into a two bedroom dwelling.
The plan involves building extensions to provide more space for future occupants, and a new door way.
It was approved unanimously by the committee.
Once completed, future occupants will make use of a double bedroom, a single bedroom with a study area, a family bathroom and an open plan kitchen living area.
Improvements to 31 homes in old Norcot estate approved (220190)
A picture of completed external home improvements in Bramshaw Road, Tilehurst. Credit: Reading Borough Council
The committee also approved plans to improve 31 council-owned homes in the old Norcot estate in Tilehurst.
Improvements involve installing new external wall insulation, triple glazed windows and doors, minor roof adaptations, fitting air source heat pumps and associated works.
READ MORE: Council homes in Reading and Tilehurst nearly ready to accept tenants
Councillor Jane Stanford-Beale (Conservative, Peppard) praising the project, said: “It’s wonderful to see this improvement of cladding and the triple glazing for these houses.
“It’s really important that we look after our housing stock, and it does cut the heating bills and the cost of living at the moment, so it’s very important we do it.”
Approval means work can begin on the properties in Bramshaw Road, Wimborne Gardens, Thrilmere Avenue, Ringwood Road and Lyndhurst Road.
Information board for arts hoardings near town centre approved (220294)
The existing artwork on the hoardings for the old Reading Central Pool in Bedford Road. Credit: Google Maps
Here, the council itself applied to add an interpretation board to boundary hoardings for the old Reading Central Pool in Bedford Road.
The hoardings round the site have been used as a space for public art as part of the council’s High Street Heritage Action Zone project.
READ MORE: New artwork near town centre unveiled by artist
The interpretation board will explain artwork that has been produced in the project.
The existing artwork in Bedford Road is nearby the site of a walk-in coronavirus testing centre in Battle Street.
Additionally, the following buildings were added to the local list:
Palmer Park Pavilion and associated buildings
Tutu’s Ethiopian Table in Palmer Park, one of the buildings in the park which has been added to the local list. Credit: Reading Borough Council
Palmer Park Pavilion and associated buildings, including the entrance gates have been added to the local list.
The main building has been occupied by the Tutu’s Ethiopian Table restaurant since 2019.
The local list nomination was made by cllr Josh Williams (Green, Park) who said they date back to 1891 when the park was opened in an event attended by George Palmer and Daniel Heelas.
He said listing “would recognise them as part of Reading’s history. They have been part of Reading’s history for 130 years.”
However, cllr Williams complained there is no toilet in this area of the park, other than the one in Tutu’s.
While he said the food from Tutu’s “amazing” the toilet is not open all the time, as Tutu’s is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
40 Christchurch Road, Reading
40 Christchurch Road in Reading. Credit: Google Maps
This building which has been used as a special educational needs school has been added to the local list.
It previously served as a home by prominent Reading residents Lady Henrietta St Maur (1810-1890), and then Henry Marriage Wallis (1879-1941).
During the Second World War it was used by the Government as the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and was the regional office for the National Savings Committee, continuing until 1957.
After that, it was turned into a school, variously being called Wakefield Lodge, Reading Alternative School, Phoenix College and most recently Hamilton School.
Pupils of Hamilton School have since been relocated to a new site in Crescent Road.
Both listing applications were approved unanimously.
