Caversham Homeowner Wins Appeal for Treatment Room

A homeowner in Caversham has won their fight with the council to keep on using an outbuilding as a beauty treatment room.

A homeowner in Caversham Heights has triumphed in their battle with the council, securing the right to use an outbuilding as a beauty treatment room.

Initially, the owner operated the business without permission, prompting Reading Borough Council to issue enforcement notices. However, after appealing to the government’s planning inspectorate, the owner won the case. The inspector determined that the outbuilding's use did not constitute a significant change in planning terms.

Julie Williams, the council's development manager, commented, “Although the outcome is disappointing, it provides useful insights into assessing outbuilding usage and what constitutes a change of use.”

Fire Door Replacement at Town Hall

Councillors have also greenlit the replacement of a timber door with a double metal fire escape door at the Grade II listed Town Hall. Planning officer Marcie Rejwerska noted that while the metal isn’t the ideal choice, it serves its purpose better than the original rotting door.

Protected Tree Works Approved

Additionally, works to a protected Plane tree at St Edward's Prep School have been approved. The tree, located in Lancing Close, will undergo pruning and crown lifting to address low-hanging branches over the playground and garage roofs. This unanimous decision comes after the school made headlines in 2022 for a Guinness World Record about plastic pollution.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter