Education Centre's Signage Plans Rejected by Council

An education company set up in Reading is in trouble over its signage after it opened last August.

Education company in trouble over signage (PL/25/1807)

Study Plus, which took over the former Berkshire Cycles building at Cemetery Junction, put up fascia signage without permission. Retrospective permission was refused because the sign was judged poor quality and detrimental to the area. A proposed canvas banner was also rejected as unsuitable for permanent retention.

Cafe to become support hub for people who are homeless (PL/26/0315)

The Way Ministry has permission to convert the Cattle Market Cafe in Great Knollys Street into a community support and wellbeing drop-in centre. Plans show 27 seats, a toilet, a shower and a kitchen for a food bank.

Planning officer Anthony Scoles noted the cafe had been vacant for some time and that the long-term implications would be limited to up to five years. Grace Gomez, the leader of The Way Ministry, stated that it will be used as a hub to support people who are homeless.

Whitley surgery to expand (PL/25/1853)

South Reading Surgery on Whitley Wood Road has permission to expand. The doctor-owner will add a treatment room and five consultation rooms, demolish a rear portacabin and reduce the attached three-bed house to a two-bed flat.

Leeds Building Society given fresh look (PL/26/0339)

The town centre branch on Cross Street will get a new shopfront, replacement doors and windows and a new fence in the rear yard. The plan was approved on May 22.

You can view these decided applications by entering the reference numbers above into the council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter