New workshop for Reading car company torpedoed

John Kleis Audio, which specialists in car audio systems and gadgets, were hoping to replace existing workshops with a new dedicated building.

Elsewhere, a plan to transform a building that used to be a beauticians to create more commercial and residential space next to a pub was approved, and the replacement of cladding at a stand out apartments was also given the go ahead.

These decisions have been made by Reading Borough Council’s planning department.

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

Car mod company plan rejected (230169)

248 Basingstoke Road Reading as it is currently. Credit: Google Earth / Cohanim Architecture

The plan by John Kleis Audio to replace workshops and garages at its site at 248 Basingstoke with a modern workshop has been rejected.

The new two-storey workshop would have provided the business a dedicated place to conduct audio installation and car works.

A 3D visual of the plan for 248 Basingstoke Road, Reading. Credit: Cohanim

But James Crosbie, the council’s assistant director of planning ruled that the height of the building  would result in harm to the appearance of the street scene and neighbouring properties.

Concerns were also raised that there would be a lack of parking, which would have a knock on effect on the road network, and lack of detail over what protection would be given to existing trees on the site.

Additions to create more commercial and residential space at building approved (220780)

640 Oxford Road, Reading, the building to the right of The Royal Albion Pub. Credit: Google Maps

A plan to provide more commercial and residential space at a building next to The Royal Albion pub has been approved.

The building, 640 Oxford Road, currently has a beauty studio on the ground floor and two one bedroom flats on the first floor and at roof level.

READ MORE: Reading chicken shop in trouble with council blasted as a 'rogue operation'

Now the project has been approved, the applicants can begin work on  additions that will provide an additional commercial unit at ground level and four affordable one bedroom flats contained on the first and second floors.

The basement, which is currently used as storage, will be converted to provide a separate commercial unit.

Fire resistance measures for apartments approved (221854)

Plans for the cladding replacement and remediation work at the Q2 apartments in Watlington Street, Reading. Credit: FRC

HLM Property, the company that manages the Q2 apartments in Watlington Street has successfully applied to remove what it called ‘combustible’ cladding from the nine storey building.

The work involves removing insulation and replacing it with new non-combustible cavity insulation.

Additionally, timber decking on all balconies will be replaced with non-combustible decking.

Home gym approved (230365)

The owner of a home in Woodberry Close, Caversham has won permission to build a gym in their garden.

The gym will be made of timber, wood cladding and come with glass sliding doors.

Planning officer Ryan Allen judged that the gym is policy compliant and would not have an undue impact on neighbours.