The store that will replace Clas Ohlson in Reading town centre has been revealed in the latest plans submitted in the town this week.
Sports Direct is set to move over the street from its current premises at 90-93 Broad Street to the old Clas Ohlson unit, which has been closed since August last year.
Elsewhere, a plan has emerged to install wheelchair accessible lifts at one of the town’s train stations, and a grand house in East Reading could be converted into flats.
You can view each application by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Plan for Sports Direct to occupy Clas Ohlson (230590)
The owners of Sports Direct have applied to take over the former Clas Ohlson unit at 61-64 Broad Street.
Hoardings have recently gone up over the store, which has exposed old Woolworths lettering from when that store used to occupy the unit before closing in 2009.
Before Sports Direct can occupy it, the company has to get its advertising designs approved by the council.
The designs show branding for both Sports Direct and its subsidiary USC Clothing.
Tilehurst station lifts plan (230589)
Recently, news broke that a planning application for disabled access lifts for Tilehurst station has been submitted.
However, at the time, planning documents were unable to view.
But the application has been validated, meaning designs for lifts can be seen.
READ MORE: Tilehurst station to finally get lifts after five year campaign
A supporting letter from Network Rail states: “Accessible stations make it easier for people to visit friends, get to the shops or to work.
“Accessibility benefits everyone; people with health conditions or impairments, people with children, heavy luggage or shopping and some older people.
“It’s also good for the economy and means fewer car journeys, less congestion and carbon emissions.”
The applications has been submitted for prior approval.
Although work on railway infrastructure is considered permitted development, meaning that it is allowed without needing council permission, because of the scale of project it requires Reading Borough Council’s ‘prior approval’ before it is implemented.
Conversion of house into flats (230405)
The owner of 24 Eldon Road has applied to convert the impressive building into flats.
Plans show the three storey building divided into one one-bedroom and two two-bedroom flats.
The old house is situated in the Eldon Square Conservation Area as many of the buildings date back to the 19th century.
According to a planning statement, approval was given to convert it into offices in 1992 but it appears this plan was not actioned.
Replacement of two-storey building with new shop and flat (230506)
The owner of 92 Whitley Street has applied to knock it down and replace it with a new building containing a shop and a flat.
The building does not front onto Whitley Street, as it actually fronts onto Essex Street.
The ground floor used to serve as a plant room but is currently redundant, with a flat on the first floor.
The owner wants to replace it with a two storey building with a shop with kitchenette on the ground floor and a one double-bed flat on the first floor.
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