Reading Bridge gets protection among plans decided

Reading Bridge was established to improve connectivity between the town and the former village north of the River Thames, which was incorporated into the borough in 1911.

Now, the bridge has been recognised for its importance. Elsewhere, plans have been approved to build a new home at the back of a Georgian house, and allow the conversion of a hotel into a children’s home.

You can view the applications featured by typing the references in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Reading Bridge added to local list 

Reading Bridge. Credit: Helen Lambert, Caversham and District Residents Association

Reading Bridge has been added to the local list of protected structures just prior to its 100th anniversary.

The bridge was opened on October, 3, 1923, in the years after the incorporation of Caversham into Reading, with its presence allowing Caversham Bridge to be replaced in 1926.

Councillor Richard Davies (Labour, Thames) said: “It’s a very apt time to celebrate this structure which is much underrated feature of Reading.

“Not only is it very impressive and its structure, the history of the bridge is very much entwined with 20th century Reading in that the construction was part of the deal that brought Caversham into Reading in 1911.”

The Reading Bridge linking the town to Caversham in a photo from the 1920s. Credit: Reading Libraries

The application to add it to the list was made by Caversham and District Residents Association and Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee.

It was added to the list unanimously by the council’s planning committee on September 6.

Plan for new home near town centre approved (230319 and 230320)

The block plan for a three bedroom home in the garden of 101 Oxford Road, Reading. Credit: Spencer Architecture / Reading Borough Council

A plan for a new home to the rear of a Grade II listed building near the town centre has been given the go-ahead.

A developer applied to build the home to the rear of 101 Oxford Road, called Rox Borough House, which dates back to 1859.

The garden to the rear of 101 Oxford Road which fronts onto Howard Street, Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

While there were concerns about the heritage impact of the existing building and its Georgian style cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) called the proposal “adequate” and fits into Howard Street appropriately.

The scheme was unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee at the meeting on September 6. 

Conversion of hotel into children’s home approved (230485)

The former Warren Dene hotel at 1017 Oxford Road, Reading, set for conversion into a childrens home. Credit: David Brett, Reading Borough Council

The company Duckquiff Ltd has successfully applied to convert a hotel into a children’s home.

The plan relates to the Warren Dene Hotel at 1017 Oxford Road, involving its conversion into an institution to provide respite care for up to eight children with severe learning disabilities.

Internal alterations involve the retention of eight of the 16 bedrooms, with the remainder being converted into communal space.

The care home will have eight staff members on-site at any given time.

House confirmed as home of multiple occupancy (230295)

21 Russell Street Reading, certificate of legal use as a home of multiple occupation (HMO). Credit: Google Maps

The house at 21 Russell Street near the town centre has been confirmed as an eight-bed home of multiple occupancy (HMO).

It has been divided into studio flats, with two flats each at basement, ground floor, first floor and second floor levels.