Plan to Convert Chip Shop Denied in Reading

Plans to turn a Reading fish and chip shop into a family home, and to build two semi‑detached houses, have been refused, while a small school lodge was approved and a separate garage-to-childcare bid timed out.

Creation of home at fish and chip shop refused (PL/26/0202)
The 555 Fish Bar on Oxford Road would have become a five-bedroom home, but planners rejected the proposal. They said losing the takeaway would harm Oxford Road, which is a mixed business-and-housing area, many rooms would rely on rooflights rather than natural light, and the garden was too small for the size of the house.

Semi-detached homes in West Reading refused (PL/26/0199)
A scheme to replace garages with two two-storey semi-detached houses at the rear of Wantage Road was turned down as a cramped overdevelopment. Officers judged the plots would dominate the site with little space for landscaping or gardens, risk overlooking neighbours and give future occupants poor daylight.

Entrance lodge for independent school approved (PL/25/0758)
Leighton Park School won permission for a small entrance lodge inside the main gates on Shinfield Road to control access and boost security. Planning officer Jonathan Markwell found the modestly-sized building well designed and appropriately scaled, fitting the wooded ridgeline without harming the area or nearby listed buildings. The impact on trees and ecology was acceptable and there were no highways or residential amenity objections.

Conversion of garage into childminders timed out (PL/23/1645)
An application to retrospectively use a garage and games room in Connaught Close as a childcare setting for up to nine children has timed out. The application was submitted in November 2023 and disposed of on 24 April. A 2015 approval had previously allowed demolition of garages to create a replacement garage and games room.

You can view each decided application by typing the reference above into Reading Borough Council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter