Reading's Oracle Gets Green Light for Safety Upgrades

Reading Borough Council has signed off a string of planning decisions affecting the town centre, housing and schools.

The Oracle rooftop changes (PL/26/0573)

Hammerson, which owns The Oracle, has permission to install safety equipment on non-public rooftop areas above the car parks. Senior officer Richard Eatough said the company needs to replace and upgrade equipment to meet safety regulations. He said: Due to their limited scale and rooftop location, they would have a negligible visual impact and not be considered harmful to nearby historic buildings. The committee approved the work on 29 July.

Central Pool site plans progress (PL/26/0187)

Permissions have been granted for the council's scheme at the former Central Pool site, which will deliver 62 homes and a day care centre. The approvals cover construction management details such as vehicle access, drainage and habitat enhancement. Once finished, the site will provide affordable and sheltered housing for people on the council's housing register. The pool closed in January 2018 and the building was later demolished.

West Reading family homes refused (PL/26/0330)

A proposal for two three-bed semi-detached homes in Stone Street, near Stadium Way, was refused on 28 July. Planning officer Anthony Scoles criticised the design as cramped and short on biodiversity, and the developer failed to provide an adequate flood risk assessment.

MUGA lights at River Academy approved (PL/26/0162)

The Maiden Erlegh Trust has been granted permission to install 10 low-energy LED floodlights around the school's Multi Use Games Area. River Academy and its sixth form opened in September 2024, and the lights will let teams train when it's night during the winter.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter