Here’s our round-up of the most interesting planning decisions made by Reading Borough Council (RBC) this week.

This week’s edition includes a local shop going upmarket, a gym in a back garden building and nine flats at old offices near Reading Station.

You can view the applications on the council’s planning portal by searching for the application number.

Empty offices to become nine flats (Application number: 200151)

Offices at Reada Court, on Vachel Road, will become nine flats, after the council signed off the proposal, which does not need planning permission.

The site, which is near Reading Station, is the former European headquarters of software company Adax.

Each flat will have one parking space.

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The government’s prior approval legislation, means councils must allow developers to change any building (up to 150sqm) to housing that has previously been used for any of the following:

  • Financial and professional services
  • Betting office or pay day loan shop
  • Laundrette
  • Hot food take-aways

This planning legislation has cost RBC £6million and 570 affordable homes, according to its own estimates.

Grocery store goes up market (192006)

A convenience store in Caversham will be transformed into a cafe selling hot food, coffee, grocereis and gifts that are locally or British-sourced and ‘ethical’.

Amir Convenience store, on 25 Church Road, in Caversham, has changed hands to new owners, who will implement the changes.

Currently a grocers, off license, newsagent and tobacconist, the new plan will keep some of the same type of products but they will be sourced differently.

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This was another application the council approved as it met the prior approval legislation.

Extension plan including outbuilding gym approved (200236)

A plan to extend a home was approved by councillors this week despite concerns raised by a neighbour.

The homeowner, at Brook Street West, by the Holy Brook, will build a single storey rear extension, loft extension and an outbuilding to be used as a gym.

A neighbour said the application “conceals the true intended use for the property”.

He said: “The proposed layout of the existing property would be ideal for subdivision into flats or multiple lettable rooms, which both the property and street is unsuited, lacking in parking, cycle storage and waste management facilities.

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The neighbour also raised concern about the proposed gym, which he said “is also unlawful”, as its toilet and storage facility could be re-purposed into living accommodation or other commercial use.

Local shop to become one-bed flat (200294)

Another convenience store is being transformed, this time becoming accommodation.

Everyday Value, on Prince of Wales Avenue, by Reading West Station, will become a one-bedroom flat after meeting the prior approval planning legislation criteria set nationally.

Dormer plan refused (200069)

Plans to construct a rear dormer at a home on Zinzan Street, off Oxford Road, have been refused by the council, which called it “uncharacteristic”.

A dormer is a type of roof window which can increase the

available living space and amount of light coming through.

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Explaining the decision, planning officers said: “The proposed development would be considered uncharacteristic and out of keeping with the prevailing roofscape of the wider terrace on the western side of Zinzan Street.

“In addition, by way of its flat roof design, the dormer would not represent a sensitive addition that would enhance or preserve the Russell Street/ Castle Hill Conservation Area which has been placed on Historic England’s listing of ‘Heritage at Risk’.