Reading planning roundup: owners apply for HMO conversions

Homes of multiple occupation (HMOs) are popular in Reading, as they provide a number of different people places to live and generate income for landlords.

HMOs are self contained studio flats or rental rooms with communal facilities such as a shared kitchen.

These properties are regulated by licenses, and landlords that breach them can expect hefty fines.

READ MORE: Reading gambling venue applies to open 24 hours a day

Owners have applied to convert two separate homes into HMOs in Reading recently, with Google Maps images appearing to show that both homes have been sold in the last two years.

Elsewhere, an owner has applied for a substantial extension to their home in East Reading.

You can view full plans for each of the applications by typing the planning reference in brackets into Reading Borough Council’s planning portal here: http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp

Conversion of house into HMO near Reading town centre (220028)

62 Goldsmid Road in Reading. Credit: Google Maps

Mrs A Daby, the owner of 62 Goldsmid Road near Reading town centre, has applied to convert her semi-detached home into a six bedroom HMO.

The house currently has two bedrooms and a bathroom.

In order to provide more space, the owners have also applied to demolish an existing outbuilding, which would make way for a two storey rear extension.

The proposed floorplan for the 62 Goldsmid Road HMO conversion. Credit: 1 Right Plan

The conversion would allow for a total of six double bedrooms and a shared kitchen and living area.

Although it is understood that everyone would have a toilet and a shower, only three of the bedrooms have ensuites.

A Google Map image appears to show that 62 Goldsmid Road  was sold by Chancellors in October 2020.

Conversion of house into HMO in West Reading (220155)

42 Norfolk Road in West Reading. It will be converted into a HMO if plans are approved. Credit: Google Maps

Here,  Jess Taylor the owner of 42 Norfolk Road in West Reading has applied to convert their terraced house into a seven bedroom HMO.

The house currently has three bedrooms and a bathroom.

To provide more space, the owners have applied to build a f L-shaped box dormer and single storey extension, with both being at the rear of the house.

The proposed floorplans for a HMO at 42 Norfolk Road, West Reading. Credit: Pro Arkitects

This would give space for the six bedrooms, four of which would be ensuite, on the ground and first floor of the property.

Three bedrooms on the second floor would share a bathroom.

A Google Map image of the home appears to show that it was sold in August 2021 by Prospect.

Substantial extensions to East Reading home (220161)

The proposed elevations for 19 The Mount Reading. Credit: Pamela Mills Design Studio

Chris and Sue Sharman, the owners of The Mount in East Reading, have applied to make substantial extensions to their two bedroom home.

Extensions allow for a childrens TV room, an office bedroom with a shower room and a utility room downstairs, and three double bedroom homes upstairs, bringing the total number of bedrooms in the house to four.

One of the upstairs bedrooms would be ensuite, with the other two sharing a bathroom.

READ MORE: Reading Borough Council gender and BAME pay gap revealed

Proposed changes to parking in The Mount provoked a large reaction from Reading residents.

While some people welcomed proposed restrictions, arguing they would make parking easier, hundreds of others feared the parking changes would devastate the Progress Theatre situated there.

Conversion of offices into flats in Caversham (220313)

Designs for 12 Tilbury Close in Caversham. Credit: UPP Architects

Benny Springer, the owner of 12 Tilbury Close in Caversham has applied to convert the ground and first floors of the building into four studio flats.

On the ground floor, the offices will be converted into two flats, which would benefit from bathrooms, with two flats going into the first floor as well.

However, those living in the first floor would only have showers.

The new occupants would benefit from three off-street parking spaces.