Plans for Roebuck Pub Conversion Rejected

The conversion of a former pub and hotel into new flats heading out of Reading has been rejected.

Plans to convert the former Roebuck pub and hotel into eight flats have been rejected.

Located on the Oxford Road, the Roebuck ceased its hotel operation in 2012 and was later turned into a 21-bed HMO without proper permission.

Reading Borough Council also recently turned down a proposal to transform town centre offices at 13-15 Station Road into seven flats due to the absence of an offer for affordable housing.

The proposal included a two-bed flat and six one-bed apartments, but the building's Grade II status, showcasing a mix of Baroque Art Nouveau and Flemish styles, complicated matters.

Additionally, a plan to convert unused commercial space in West Reading into 10 one-bed flats was denied. The site, which houses a welding shop, gym, and dog grooming service, lacked sufficient natural light and was at risk of noise disturbance.

Lastly, a retrospective proposal for InPost parcel lockers outside the Spread Eagle pub was turned down due to concerns over their appearance, which was deemed unacceptable for the area.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter