Battle Inn Set for Flats After Approval

A plan to replace a long-closed Reading pub with flats has cleared a crucial hurdle, alongside several other recent local planning approvals.

Pub replacement plan clears hurdle (PL/26/0237)

The Battle Inn on Oxford Road, shut since 2015 and previously called The Royal, is set to be replaced by a five-storey block with six flats and ground-floor commercial space. Councillors approved the project on July 1 and developer Anrish Properties signed a section 106 agreement on September 7.

Conversion of hotel into 14 flats (PL/25/1695)

Reading Serviced Rooms in Caversham Road will become a 14-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO). RAM Bennett won permission to create ensuite rooms with two shared kitchens and a lounge. The application was approved on September 11.

Children's care home approved after previous refusal (PL/26/0943)

A five-bed house in Eastern Avenue will be converted into a home for three cared-for children after a redesign addressed earlier concerns about parking and hardstanding. Planning officer Catrin Davies said the redesign was more sympathetic to the house and neighbourhood. The conversion was approved on September 9.

Conversion of house into two flats established (PL/25/1685)

An unauthorised conversion of a three-bedroom terraced house in East Reading into a one-bed ground-floor flat and a two-bed upper flat has been regularised. Permission for a single-storey rear extension to expand the two-bed flat was approved on September 9.

To view the full applications, type the reference in brackets into Reading Borough Council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter