The migration of the European weather centre to Reading and a refused plan to turn a Crowthorne dental surgery into flats are the highlights of this week's planning roundup.
Conversion of dentist studio into flats (Bracknell: 25/00112/FUL)
Bracknell Forest refused permission to convert the vacant Smiles Dental Surgery on Lower Broadmoor Road into two three‑bedroom ground‑floor flats. An already approved scheme would add two two‑bedroom flats in a new pitched‑roof upper storey. The ground‑floor units would be around 87-88m² each. The applicant said the change is acceptable in principle and design and amenity impacts would be minimal.
They argued the former dental use needed about 13 parking spaces, while the flats require four, relying on public car parks and nearby on‑street bays. The application referenced an appeal at 79 Church Street where flats without on‑site parking were allowed, but Crowthorne Parish Council objected.
American barn at Emsworth Polo Grounds (Bracknell: 25/00174/FUL)
Four Quarters Polo got permission to build a steel‑framed, timber‑clad American barn at Drift Road, Winkfield. The 330sqm barn, with a 6.6m ridge, will match a neighbouring barn and sit on existing hardstanding. It adds 20 internal boxes, increasing stabling from 102 to 122 so the site can host two full polo teams and improve financial viability. The building will be screened by hedges and trees, offer step‑free access, and the applicant says horse box movements won't increase, and may fall slightly.
European Weather Centre (Wokingham 260341)
Many drivers will have seen the letters 'ECMWF' near Shinfield Road without knowing it stands for the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. The centre, which provides the boundary conditions national Met Offices use, is relocating to the Earley gate of Reading University. Wokingham council granted permission on April 10 for a new headquarters to support 240-380 staff.
The site needs about 1,200 square metres for offices and meeting rooms, around 290 parking spaces for the offices, conference centre and data centre, and a data centre with up to four data halls. The meteorologists and climate scientists who optimise their 'Fast Fourier Transforms' and predict the weather will be based there.
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
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