Plan to convert bungalow into homes in Reading refused

A developer was hoping to make substantial changes to the bungalow in Coley which were roundly refused by Reading Borough Council’s planning department.

Elsewhere, solar panels can be added to a car dealership and improvement works to a building at a mental health hospital in Tilehurst can begin.

You can view the applications refused, approved and lodged in this roundup by typing the reference number in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Fresh plan for bungalow refused (230941)

The elevation plan for the rejected application to create two homes at 4 Downshire Square in Coley. Credit: Colony Architects

A fresh plan to create homes in the place of a bungalow in Coley has been rejected.

Applicants Finerain Developments were hoping to transform 4 Downshire Way through part demolition and construction work that would have made it two-storey, providing two semi-detached three-bedroom homes.

However, the council’s planning department judged that the project would result in an ‘over-intensive, awkward and contrived layout’ and provide an ‘unacceptable standard of accommodation’ for future occupants.

A previous plan to demolish the bungalow entirely and replace it with three homes was rejected at a planning meeting in July 2022.

Solar panels added to car showroom approved (230859)

Inchcape Mini and BMW in Drake Way, Whitley. Credit: Google Maps

More solar panels can be added to a car showroom now an installation project has been approved.

The Inchcape car dealership runs the Mini and BMW showrooms in Drake Way Whitley.

The top of the showroom buildings already has two sets of solar panels on its roof.

Now, Inchcape can add 313 solar panels on the same stretch of roof as an installation plan was approved this month.

Improved access accommodation for mental health patients at Prospect Park (220251)

Magnolia House at the Prospect Park in West Reading. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Access improvements to one of the buildings at Prospect Park which is used to house mental health patients have been improved.

Magnolia House is one of the accommodation buildings on the grounds of Prospect Park Hospital in Tilehurst, which is used to provide a secure stay as a Place of Safety for young people and adults

Improvements include establishing a new tarmac footpath, fencing, creating wider access and tree planting.

These works were deemed acceptable and approved by the council’s planning department.

Conversion of house into HMO (231528)

The floorplans for the conversion of a home into a HMO in Argyle Street, Reading. Credit: Bonney Architecture

Here, the owner of 37 Argyle Street, near Reading West station has applied to convert the mid-terrace house into a home of multiple occupation (HMO).

The house currently has six bedrooms according to existing floorplans, with two downstairs and four upstairs.

Conversion work would provide space for two double bedrooms on the ground floor and three double bedrooms on the first floor, with each coming with a shower.

Future occupants would share a kitchen and dining room if the plan is approved.