Transformational plans for Reading’s town centre have cleared a crucial hurdle in the latest planning round up.

Landowners Thackeray Estates has won approval for its plans to transform the corner of Friar Street and Queen Victoria Street.

It is just one of a number of applications discussed in a busy week for the Reading Borough Council planning committee on Wednesday, May 31.

You can view each approved application featured by typing its reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Apartment-hotel rooms and town centre courtyard approved (221232 and 221233)

Thackeray Estates’ huge plan for apart-hotel rooms and courtyard destination area, dubbed QVS1+ have been approved as the landowners have entered into a section 106 agreement with the council.

These agreements determine how much a developer will pay the council to invest in vital infrastructure.

The plan involves renovation and works to create 104 apart-hotel rooms on upper floors, and new shopfronts and a courtyard at ground level.

The project will affect WH Smith, Reading Food & Wine, Timpson, Amy’s Nails and Black Sheep Coffee but the direct impact on these businesses is unclear.

Approval of the S106 was granted on May 24.

New 163-bed hotel in Friar Street approved (221235)

Reading Chronicle: A CGI of the proposed new 163 bed Jurys Inn hotel, codenamed QVS2, planned to replace Eyesite opticians and Revolucion de Cuba in Friar Street. Credit: Falconer Chester HallA CGI of the proposed new 163 bed Jurys Inn hotel, codenamed QVS2, planned to replace Eyesite opticians and Revolucion de Cuba in Friar Street. Credit: Falconer Chester Hall

Thackeray Estates’ partners The National Pub Portfolio have won approval for the demolition of buildings on Friar Street and replacing them with a 163-bed hotel.

The hotel building will total seven storeys and incorporate The Bugle pub which will serve as an entry point and character part of the building.

Now the project can go ahead, the building housing Revolución de Cuba and the Eyesite Opticians will be demolished to make way for the hotel.

The project is codenamed QVS2. Originally, the hotel was set to be branded a Jurys Inn, which has changed its name to Leonardo Hotels.

Approval was granted on the same day as QVS1+.

Electric charging at fuel station approved (221842)

Reading Chronicle: The BP in Henley Road, Caversham. Credit: Google MapsThe BP in Henley Road, Caversham. Credit: Google Maps

The Motor Fuel Group which runs the BP in Henley Road, Caversham has won approval to install five electric vehicle charging bays for drivers.

Recommending approval, planning officer David Brett judged that the electric charging area’s placement in the site was acceptable and would not disrupt the flow of traffic or vehicle manoeuvres within the site.

Furthermore, he approved of the replacement of existing air, water and vacuum units with a combined installation for these functions.

Conversion of building into three flats approved (211544)

Reading Chronicle: 159 Oxford Road, Reading. Credit: Mathewson Waters Architects159 Oxford Road, Reading. Credit: Mathewson Waters Architects

The council has approved the conversion of 159 Oxford Road, which used to be used as offices, into two maisonettes and one flat.

The owner previously won approval for the conversion under application reference 161550, but changes have been made since.

These changes involve window placement and landscaping.

The building used to serve as the offices for an organisation called Berkshire CDA.