Work is set to begin on a new gym at a retail park in Reading.

Construction work can begin to build a JD Gym on the car park of the Reading Link Retail Park as details of the project have been approved.

Elsewhere, a storage unit can be converted into a dance studio, and the former Barclays Bank in Caversham can become two shops and three flats.

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

Construction for new gym given go ahead (PL/24/1371)

Floorplans and elevations for the JD Gym at Reading Link Retail Park. Credit: Sorbon EstatesFloorplans and elevations for the JD Gym at Reading Link Retail Park. Credit: Sorbon Estates

The project to build a JD Gym on the car park of Reading Link Retail Park can go ahead as a construction management plan has been approved.

Details of delivery and working times for the project were approved on November 8.

The gym will result in the loss of 47 parking spaces at the retail park, leaving 264 spaces remaining.

The website states: "When launched, JD Gyms Reading will be a state-of-the-art facility, with 100s of pieces of the very best fitness equipment, vast free weights and cardio areas, and a dedicated glute training area! Plus we'll be open 24 hours!"

Conversion of storage unit into dance studio approved (PL/24/0980)

Units in Britten Road, Reading. One of the units could become a dance studio. Credit: Google MapsUnits in Britten Road, Reading. One of the units could become a dance studio. Credit: Google Maps

The company Dance Planet Ltd has won approval to convert a storage unit in the Britten Road industrial estate into a dance studio.

The project involves retaining existing staff facilities, but using the sizeable space for dance classes.

The floor plan for a project to convert a storage unit in Britten Road, Katesgrove into a dance studio. Credit: Lee Norris DesignThe floor plan for a project to convert a storage unit in Britten Road, Katesgrove into a dance studio. Credit: Lee Norris Design

Explaining the plan, one of the business owners wrote: “Our plan is to open a modern ballroom dance studio which provides a full range of services.

“At the core of our business will be a high level of teaching expertise, variety of different classes for all ages and levels and a great team spirit.”

The project was approved on the condition that no more than five students attend the premises between 10am and 5pm on weekdays to ensure there is adequate parking.

Conversion of former bank into shops and flats approved (PL/24/0068)

The former Barclays bank in Church Road, Caversham, that was closed down in June 2020.The former Barclays bank in Church Road, Caversham, that was closed down in June 2020. (Image: Reading Borough Council)

The former Barclays bank in Church Road, Caversham is set to be turned into two shops and three flats.

Permission has been granted to create two shops on the ground floor, with a one-bed flat and two two-bed flats being provided on the upper floors.

The project was approved by the council's planning applications sub-committee in June, on the condition that a s106 developer contribution agreement be reached, which was achieved on November 8.

Laundrette conversion into shop approved (PL/24/0101)

The front of the laundrette in Whitley Street, Reading. Credit: Google MapsThe front of the laundrette in Whitley Street, Reading. Credit: Google Maps

A building that was previously used as a laundrette can now be turned into a shop with a range of uses.

The address in Whitley Street, Katesgrove was previously used by the Reading Laundrette business, but was eventually deemed surplus to requirements.

READ MORE: New shop front in busy Whitley Street area planned

Approval has been given to allow the address to be converted into a use class E shop.

Part of the building has been occupied by various different hairdressing businesses for several years.