A busy corner of Reading town centre could be completely redeveloped according to plans submitted recently.
Thackeray Estates has finally submitted plans for what it wants to do with the buildings at the junction of Queen Victoria Street and Friar Street.
Redevelopment would involve the demolition and part demolition of buildings in Friar Street, the construction of an ‘apart-hotel’ and the creation of a new area in Queen Victoria Street.
These are divided into three projects codenamed Queen Victoria Street 1 (QVS1) , QVS1+ and QVS2.
READ MORE: Development could see Reading buildings transformed into 157 room hotel
Also, Greyfriars Church has submitted plans for its new centre and a homeowner has applied for improvements to their house in Caversham.
You can view the plans by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Demolition and building changes in Queen Victoria Street and Friar Street (221232)
This application involves the demolition of 146 Friar Street, a three storey building home to Reading Food & Wine, and a part demolition of 145 Friar Street, which serve as a rear entrance to WH Smith.
Much of the demolition will take place for the buildings set back from the street scene in between Friar Street and Broad Street.
READ MORE: Reading building home to Harris Arcade bought for £9m
The application focuses on the external works for the project, which involves creating a new open courtyard lined with businesses.
The exterior 147 Friar Street, with its distinctive front would be retained, albeit with improved retail facilities on the ground floor.
New ‘apart-hotel’ and building changes in Queen Victoria Street and Friar Street (221233)
This application relates to Thackeray Estates plan for a 157 room ‘apart-hotel’, which combine self-sufficient living with hotel amenities such as restaurants and concierges.
The submitted block plan appears to show a hotel across two buildings.
The building west of Fife Court would have a ground floor entry point with a foyer, reception, a lounge and a restaurant.
It is understood The Bugle pub would be reconfigured to serve as this restaurant with its frontage being retained.
READ MORE: The Bugle in Friar Street 'key part of Reading heritage' receives protection
The Bugle was locally listed earlier this year.
The building east of Fife Court would also be a hotel, with ground floor check in stations and hotel space.
The portion east of Fife Court would contain a total of 10 retail units.
Crosses for Greyfriars church centre (221249)
Greyfriars Church in Reading town centre has submitted an application for crosses and lettering for its church centre.
The crosses would fit in with the branding on the church website, with a red cross on the south elevation and another cross on the west elevation.
The cross and Greyfriars lettering would be on a new four storey church centre which is under construction.
Extension and room conversion to Caversham home (221250)
Here, A Rana, the owner of 158 Hemdean Road in Caversham has applied to build a rear extension and convert a bedroom into a bathroom.
158 Hemdean Road is a terraced house near Balmore Park.
The extension would provide the owner with a dining room and study, and an enlarged kitchen and lounge on the ground floor, with a current bathroom being removed.
Upstairs, a small bedroom would be converted into a family bathroom with a bath, shower and toilet – which would replace the one at ground level.
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