Appeal to Demolish Reading House Refused

A large house in Reading must stay after an appeal to demolish and replace it was dismissed.

The owner wanted to knock down the property in Oxford Road, near the Purley boundary, and build flats. Reading Borough Council refused the scheme and a planning inspector agreed, ruling the replacement would harm the area's character and neighbour amenity. The existing building currently serves as four flats and sits opposite two now-closed car dealerships.

House in Tilehurst must stay after appeal is dismissed (PL/25/0102)

The proposal would have created two two-bed and six one-bed flats, but the inspector found it would cause significant harm to the street and nearby homes.

Plan for homes to the rear of Co-op in Caversham rejected (PL/25/1020)

An appeal to build a terrace of four three-bed homes on a secured site next to the Co-op car park in Star Road was dismissed. The council had refused permission over flooding concerns and the inspector agreed the site is not safe and could increase flood risk elsewhere.

Appeal to get care home approved (PL/26/0594)

The owner of a house in Glennon Close, Southcote, has lodged an appeal to convert it into a care home. A previous application to turn the same house into a children's care home for up to two children with three staff (PL/23/0797) was approved in October 2023. Neighbours have objected, citing noise and management concerns.

Savers advertising plans approved (PL/26/1053 and PL/26/1054)

The Savers shopfront on the outside of Broad Street Mall will be altered: the 'Savers' wording moved left and 'health', 'home' and 'beauty' moved right. Planning officer Marcelina Rejwerska found the signage meets council design principles and that illumination will be limited so CCTV is not affected by glare.

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

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter