Builders of new homes near Reading town centre are in trouble for not following approved plans, while other local planning decisions include converting office space into flats and permission for a garden annexe in Whitley.
Builders in trouble over three new homes (PL/25/1836)
Developers built a terrace of three homes in Katesgrove, on West Hill behind Southampton Street, but Reading Borough Council says the homes were not constructed as approved in 2017. The builders applied for retrospective permission to regularise the work, but planning officer Marcelina Rejwerska judged the terrace has a poor design and layout, encroaches into a neighbouring property and results in 'harm' to existing and future occupants. Retrospective permission was rejected on 2 March.
Conversion of top floor of office to create 12 flats (PL/26/0012)
The top floor of the Abbey Gardens office complex in the town centre has been granted permission to become 12 flats - five one-bed and seven two-bed apartments. On current occupancy, the planning officer stated: "At the time of an officer site visit in January, it was evident that there was one last remaining officer occupier at the site, albeit this occupier was said to be vacating the site in the next month."
Annexe to be created in the garden of Whitley family home (PL/25/0971)
The owner of a terraced home in Linden has permission to replace a shed and storage area with a garden annexe for their daughter. The annexe will include a double bed, bathroom, kitchenette and living area. Planning officer Gary Miles's report states the daughter will continue to use the main property, using the annexe only when appropriate. Permission was granted on 2 March.
You can view each decided application by typing the reference in brackets into Reading Borough Council's planning portal.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
