Pools, 200+ homes and 5G tower refused - this week's planning roundup

20m 5G tower refused

Where the mast would have gone

Plans to put up a 20m tall 5G mast in Tilehurst have been refused due to its size and impact on trees.

The plans involves replacing the current 12m mast on land at The Meadway at the junction with Church End Lane and Dunsfold Road.

READ MORE: Decision on plans for 265 new Tilehurst homes delayed

Council officers said the 20m monopole would be largely obscured by the existing highway trees but the detrimental impact trees, as well as the character and appearance of the surrounding area would outweigh the benefits of the scheme.

They also said the developer – EE Ltd & H3G Ltd –  failed to demonstrate there were no preferable alternative sites which would result in a development that would be less visually intrusive.

New swimming pools

Palmer Park and Rivermead leisure designs

Plans for two new swimming pools in Reading will pass their final hurdle next week, if approved by the council’s Planning Applications committee (PAC).

The plans are for a 25m eight-lane competition pool at Rivermead and a 25 metre, six-lane community pool, with additional leisure facilities also proposed.

Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) chosen leisure provider, Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) – who currently manage Rivermead Leisure Centre on behalf of the council – has submitted the planning application and will operate the new leisure facilities once they are opened.

READ MORE: Long-awaited Rivermead and Palmer swimming pool plans set for vote

Concerns over 209-home application

The current site 55 Vastern Road

Plans to build 209 homes at a former power station and listed building by the River Thames in Reading look set to be rejected.

Also being decided at Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) Planning Applications committee next Wednesday (March 31), the 55 Vastern Road plan has not met council officers’ hopes for the site.

Despite the scheme being adapted by developer Berkeley Homes several times following discussion with the council, planning officers have recommended the proposal be refused for several reasons, including concerns over it providing a "poor" route from Christchurch Bridge to Reading Station.

READ MORE: Fears 209 homes plan in Reading could shade over the River Thames

Reading pub B&B plan refused – but Dubai transformation underway

The Jolly Angler's pool, which is now being replcaced by an even bigger one

Finally, a pub’s B&B plan has been rejected by council due to the wrong application being made, but landlord Xhemail Zeqiri will return with a new application.

Mr Zeqiri, who transformed the Jolly Anglers’ garden in the first lockdown into an ‘Ibiza resort’ with a swimming pool is now changing it to a ‘Dubai’-style garden with an even bigger pool and a sauna.

READ MORE: Reading pub’s B&B plan refused by council – but ‘Dubai’ garden transformation coming

The B&B aimed to make use of the four-bedroom landlords flat above the Kennetside pub with guests to be allowed to use the pool outside the pub’s opening hours.

But Reading Borough Council (RBC) has refused the certificate of lawfulness application, saying the pub will need to seek planning permission or apply for it to be ‘inn accommodation’ as part of the pub.

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