Starbucks Drive-Thru Plans Stalled by Council

Plans for a new drive-thru pod near one of Reading's busiest roundabouts have hit fresh delays.

Drive-thru takeaway delayed (PL/26/0291 and PL/26/0293)

A project to build a drive-thru hot food takeaway on grassland off Scours Lane, just off the Norcot Junction, was approved on appeal by the planning inspectorate in Spring 2024. But Reading Borough Council has refused detailed plans for electric vehicle charging and rejected updated designs, saying the changes must be submitted as full detailed applications rather than as non-material amendments. It is understood Weybourne Holdings is angling for Starbucks to occupy the takeaway.

Convenience store to expand into takeaway (PL/26/0043 and PL/25/1642)

The owner of Premier Express at Coronation Square in Southcote has been given permission to convert the adjacent unit, currently occupied by the Eastern Choice takeaway, into a shop. Approved plans show two entrances for the enlarged store and the removal of non-load-bearing partition walls to enable the expansion.

Ongoing dispute over car business buildings (PL/26/0002)

Readings planners have declined to determine an application to retain buildings linked to a controversial car business on Norcot Road. Enforcement notices requiring removal of buildings behind Vesuvio Pizzeria were issued in January 2024 and were largely upheld at appeal in August 2024. The owners' application to keep the structures remains undetermined while the enforcement notices are active.

Special school given earlier heating time (PL/26/0022)

The Avenue School in Conwy Close, Tilehurst, which teaches pupils aged 2-19 with special educational needs, has won permission to switch its air source heat pump on from 5am. Previously the pump was not allowed to be used between 11pm and 7am.

You can view each decided application by entering the reference in brackets into Reading Borough Council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter