New restaurant in the town centre and flats above Nationwide: This week's planning roundup

Empty Nationwide building to become restaurant

Here’s the first one.

A former Nationwide building will become a restaurant, after the council approved the plans reported on by the Chronicle last month.

The empty former building society branch, on the corner of Friar Street and Station Road closed in 2018, with staff moving to the building society’s other site on Broad Street.

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The Thackeray Estate will to rent out the ground floor space as a restaurant and takeaway with seating space for around 45 people.

Plans from another developer for 12 flats on the first, second and third floors of the building were previously approved by the council.

Extension plan withdrawn after neighbour raises concerns

An application for a first-floor extension in at a home in Whitley has been withdrawn after a neighbour raised concerns it would block sunlight from reaching their garden.

Describing their concerns about the plans on Kingsbridge road, the neighbour said: “We are happy with the extension but the only concern we have is the extension will block the sunlight coming towards our garden and therefore our garden will become very dark.

“The other concern we have is the window from the neighbours extension must not be put in towards our side of the garden.”

Flats plan approved above Nationwide

Here’s the second slice of Nationwide-related news.

Council planners have approved a proposal for offices at 14 Church Street, in Caversham, to become three one-bed flats.

The flats will be above the Nationwide building – this one is still open.

READ MORE: Neighbours slam flats plan at 'fine' Edwardian House - decision next week

Helen Lambert, chair of the Caversham and District Residents Association, said the association supports upper floors in the town centre being converted to flats but raised concerns about refuse collection.

She said: “It is not clear where bins for the flats will be sited. It is important that the street is not cluttered with bins or bags as can often be the case.”

But a planning officer said: “Under this application type, the applicant is not required to provide details of refuse collection.

“Should any issues arise regarding this matter, please contact the waste operations or street care teams at the council.”

Family house to become HMO (shared house)

Meanwhile, planners have agreed to let a homeowner turn  afamily house on Northumberland Avenue into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

A HMO is a shared house with communal spaces such as kitchen and living room.

The number of bedrooms will not change.

More extensions at Caversham home

Finally, further extensions have been approved at a home in Caversham.

Planning officers have approved plans for first-floor side extension above an existing ground floor extension at a home on Henley Road.