New Hotel-Style Flats Approved Above Caffè Nero

A plan to convert the upper floors of St Marys House in Reading above a Caff Nero on the corner of Broad Street, West Street and St Marys Butts into 41 serviced apartments has been approved.

A previous scheme for 37 hireable rooms was signed off last year, but the owner went back with a tweak to increase room numbers and remove a first-floor amenity space. The changes were decided at a meeting of the councils planning applications committee.

Councillors were broadly supportive but raised concerns about waste management and whether more serviced apartments are needed.

Councillor David Stevens (Labour, Abbey) said: "We’re very conscious this has come before the planning committee before and was approved, so I think I have no concerns about it, and we’re happy to support this.

"Particularly the facade is totally unaffected, and so people walking past will see no difference unless they look right up, which is fine.

"The big issue for anybody who knows our area is the refuse management, St Mary’s Courtyard behind has been a disaster, and those trade refuse bins have been appalingly managed, we have awful shots of rats crawling round, so waste management behind those buildings, particularly from residents is absolutely key, ebcause there is no gate between there and that wider area, you really have to keep an eye on that.

"Providing that is well managed, this will be absolutely fine, and I’m happy to support it."

A condition of approval says details of refuse, recycling and food waste bins and storage must be submitted and approved by the councils planning department prior to first occupation.

Cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) asked: "I was just wondering, do we really need all of those serviced apartments?

"Because I know there are a fair few other developments that have been discussed and approved for either serviced apartments or apart-hotel developments, we actually do need homes.

"I’m not sure why the requirement is only for people to stay for a certain amount of time."

The planning officer said each application is judged on its merits and the room sizes would not suit permanent homes. There are other local examples, including 107 rooms in the QVS1+ project and House of Fisher apartments on West Street and Kings Road.

Councillors unanimously approved the 41 serviced apartments at the planning applications committee meeting on Wednesday, July 1. You can view the application using reference PL/26/0603 on the councils planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter