Latest on flats above closed arcade in Reading town centre

The Bristol and West Arcade in Friar Street was subject to a grand plan for a hotel, pub and restaurant that was approved in 2021.

But that project was shelved in favour of converting the offices into 20 flats. 

Elsewhere, a plan for new homes at a site previously used for advertising has been refused.

Over in Tilehurst, a project for an extra home at an overgrown site has also been rejected.

You can view each decided application by typing the reference in brackets into the council's planning portal. 

Latest on flats above Bristol and West Arcade (PL/24/0990)

The Bristol and West Arcade in Friar Street, Reading town centre. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The project to convert offices into 20 flats above the Bristol and West Arcade is moving forward. 

The conversion of the offices was approved in 2022, on the condition that noise mitigation features must be installed to protect future occupants.

Initially, a condition stated that work could not start until noise mitigation measures were approved by the council.

Now the developer has successfully changed that condition to allow the building project to start. Noise mitigation features must be installed prior to any occupation. 

Five homes plan at former advertising site in Caversham refused (PL/24/0900)

The refused site plan for a terrace of five three-bed homes along George Street in Caversham. (Image: The Keen Partnership)

A plan for five homes at a site previously used for advertising in Caversham has been rejected. 

The site is situated at the end of George Street and immediately next to Christchurch Meadows. Advertising boards and trees have been removed from the site in recent years. 

The former advertising space at George Street, Caversham, where a plan for five three-bed houses has been rejected. (Image: Google Maps)

A developer was hoping to build five three-bedroom homes contained in a new terrace facing the junction with Gosbrook Road. 

However, planning officer Ethne Humphreys recommended it be refused due to the loss of open space, judging that the homes would be 'crammed' into the site. The project was refused on October 29.

Extra home in Tilehurst refused (PL/24/1142)

A refused plan for two semi-detached homes in Tern Close, Tilehurst. (Image: Greg Farrell Building & Design Consultant)

A landowner's plan to add an extra home to a disused and overgrown site in Tern Close has been rejected. 

The site owner currently has permission to build a three-bed bungalow with a new driveway and two parking spaces.

But a plan to construct a larger bungalow containing two two-bed homes was refused on October 25.

Officer Humphreys argued that the project would 'no longer sit quietly’ behind existing homes, and that the development would be cramped.  

Brewdog refurb works approved (PL/24/0710)

Brewdog in Castle Street, Reading town centre. (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Refurbishment works will take place at the Brewdog bar and kitchen in Castle Street. 

The building it occupies was built as the Congregation Chapel in 1837, before it was transformed into a venue. 

The former Congregational Church in Castle Street, Reading, with this photograph being taken in the early 1990s. (Image: Reading Borough Council Local Studies Library)

Owing to its heritage and distinct features, the building is Grade II listed. 

An improved restoration project involves repairing the masonry which has begun to wear.