Much-needed repairs at Royal Berkshire hospital, and a new 19-flat building on Southampton Street, are in this week’s planning roundup.

You can view details of each planning case by going to the planning section of Reading Borough Council’s website and searching for the application number provided.

Urgent repairs to Royal Berkshire Hospital: 221385

Urgent repairs are to be carried out at the North Block of Royal Berkshire Hospital’s East Wing, after permission for work was granted last week.

A document submitted to council planning officers shows how subsidence has caused floors and walls to crack, while many of the upper floors and roof suffer from dry rot.

It says: “Much of the upper floors and roof is suffering from wet and dry rot.

READ MORE: Royal Berkshire Hospital could move to Thames Valley Park

“The main staircase between the ground and first floor has collapsed and areas of the upper floor have been reported as unsafe due to rot. An environmental investigation has highlighted the risk of toxic mould.”

It adds: “Due to localised poor ground conditions (common across the site), the northern end has subsided, evidenced by significant cracking to the walls visible from inside and outside of the building.”

Planning permission is required as the wing is part of a listed building.

19 flats on Southampton Street: 211636

Approval has been given to demolish a building at 57-81 Southampton Street previously used by Co-op Funeralcare and replace it with a new one of 19 new flats has been granted.

But developers will have to submit further plans showing how they won’t block neighbours’ light before the can start building.

One neighbour, Brittany King, wrote in to object to the plans. She said: “My partner and I recently bought the flat opposite at 106 Southampton Street.

“We have one window that gives natural light to our living room, hallway and kitchen; building this four-storey building will block out the only natural light we have. Our flat is also listed so we couldn't add more windows if we wanted to.”

The new building will be four storeys high, with a shared central lobby and stairs, with four flats on the ground floor, and five flats each on the first, second and third. They’ll be a mixture of one, two and three bed flats.

Sign at Rivermead Leisure Centre: 230531

Plans have been approved for the sign above the new Rivermead Leisure Centre and at the entrance to the car park.

The Rivermead leisure centre will be open for public use on Monday, July 17.

Facilities include a 6-court sports hall and a 120-station gym with 3 studios, soft play activity zone with party rooms and cafe.