TESCO is cutting its carbon emissions with plans to build a new biofuel generator at its distribution centre on Imperial Way.

The supermarket received planning permission for the generator this week, after a decision by planners at Reading Borough Council (RBC).

Also this week, two applications were refused — one because of bats in a cemetery. Here’s this week’s round-up of the most interesting planning decisions.

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Biofuel generator

Tesco now has permission go ahead with plans to build the biofuel generator, which received little objection from neighbours or the council.

Ross Jarvis, environmental health officer at RBC, said: “The environmental protection team would usually have noise and odour concerns over something like this, but in this instance due to the location being several hundred metres away from any sensitive receptors, there are no objections.”

Setting out the reasons for the generator, planner Clare Hillier-Brown said: “There is a requirement for Tesco to meet certain emission standards in the next couple of years, to improve their carbon footprint across their stores and distribution centres.

“To improve their carbon footprint in readiness for the change in legislation, Tesco are introducing both biodiesel generators and solar panels to their stores and distribution centres.”

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New block of flats next to 1830s terrace 

Plans to build a three-storey block of flats were thrown out this week because of how close they were to an 1830s terrace. The building would have housed six two-bed flats, on Kings Road.

But because the plans were behind three Grade-II listed buildings, and near the historic Eldon Square, planning permission was refused.

RBC’s historic buildings consultant said: “The design of new buildings intended to stand alongside historic buildings needs very careful consideration and should respect their setting, and follow fundamental architectural principles.”

Bats in a cemetery 

Plans to demolish a home in Caversham and build two new detached houses did not get approval, partly because of bats.

The house on Woods Road is close to a cemetery and several connected gardens with large trees. Council ecologists said because of this, there could be bats living in the existing house. 

The ecologists asked the applicant for a bat survey, to show what the impact would be on the protected species. But because no survey was submitted to the council, planning permission was refused.