This week's planning roundup of decisions in Reading includes a theatre, bank, two houses replacing a bungalow and 24-hour ASDA plans.
Two houses to replace east Reading bungalow
Planning permission has been granted for a bungalow in east Reading to be demolished and replaced with two four-bed houses.
READ MORE: Closed play centre could become gymnastics club under new plans
Four advertising boards will also be removed to make space for the homes.
The plan at 105 Addington Road was approved by officers, who agreed it was acceptable on balance despite concerns from neighbours.
Neighbours had raised concerns about:
- Lack of parking in the area
- Disruption to traffic
- Construction disruption
- Safety of the land
- The houses may become HMOs
Council officers said it is not the planning system’s role to obstruct development on the basis of noise and traffic concerns be caused by construction works are noted.
While they said conditions would be put in place to ensure any possible contamination is thoroughly investigated and removed.
And they said the owner would have to apply for permission to turn the houses into HMOs.
Concerns were raised about the impact on parking but the development is car-free and occupiers will not be eligible for residents or visitors parking permits.
Officers called the plan an improvement on the hoardings, “which are an eyesore and severely detracting from the area”, and the “somewhat untidy appearance of the bungalow”, which they said is also out of character.
Council planning officers concluded: “Ultimately, when applying an overall critical planning balance of all material considerations, the benefits are considered to outweigh the conflicts.”
Theatre’s extension plan approved
A theatre in Reading has been granted permission to extend its building to provide more toilets as part of plans to make the venue more accessible.
READ MORE: Plans to extend Progress Theatre building in Reading to provide more toilets
Progress Theatre, which is on The Mount, close to Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading, submitted plans to the council to expand the building to including six new toilets and an extended lobby.
With the plans now approved, the building will be extended to the boundary fence, creating a large unisex toilet space, with: five unisex toilets and one unisex accessible toilet.
HSBC to split town centre building in two
READ MORE: Bank in Reading town centre set to be divided in two
A grade II listed building in the town centre – home to HSBC – will be split in two.
HSBC has decided to “vacate and surrender” part of the building at 26-28 Broad Street, returning it to the landlord in what it calls "exciting plans" to bring the branch "up to date".
The building is on the corner of Broad Street and Queen Victoria Street.
There will be no reduction in service as a result of the redesign of the branch and no jobs are at risk.
The landlord or a new tenant at the vacant unit will submit a separate application in the future to redevelop the site once HSBC has vacated it.
Tilehurst ASDA withdraws 24-hour plan
Plans from the Tilehurst ASDA to deliver food 24 hours a day have been withdrawn.
ASDA had asked for a condition to be removed from its planning permission to allow it to deliver 24-hours per day from its Honey End Lane store in Tilehurst.
It said this flexibility would enable the store to address the difficulties arising from the current delivery hour restrictions.
It said shelves are often seen empty of products, especially fresh produce, prior to the first delivery which can occur from 7am Monday – Saturday, and 10am on Sundays.
The earliest delivery time coincides with the opening of the store and so ASDA does not have sufficient time to restock shelves to ensure they are full of products for visiting customers.
ASDA says this hinders the trading potential of the store and means it is unable to meet the needs of its customers to the full potential.
But it has now withdrawn the application. ASDA has been approached for comment.
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