A school will get an extra building to give it additional classroom space.

Other interesting decisions in this week’s roundup include a new health centre being approved and a historic and cherished group of buildings being saved.

Additionally, there is an update on the demolition of Reading’s last gas holder.

School to get new building

A single-storey building will be built at a school in west Reading to provide an extra classroom.

All Saints C of E Primary School, on Brownlow Road, says its facilities are inadequate for current teaching requirements.

Three sheds will be removed to allow the timber-clad ‘contemporary’ building to be erected in their place.

Former Drews and malthouse site saved from demolition and seven-storey flats plan

A historic former hardware store and malthouse has been saved from demolition, with councillors rejecting a plan to build 44 flats.

Plans to replace the old Drews Ironmongers building on 71-73 Caversham Road with 44 flats were recommended for approval by Reading Borough Council (RBC) planning officers.

But the council’s Planning Applications committee unanimously rejected the plan on Wednesday (October 7) due to concerns about the loss of the locally listed heritage asset and the height of the proposed seven-storey building.

READ MORE: Historic locally listed Drews buildings saved from demolition

Health centre and church coming to Whitley Wood

A new modern three-storey health centre will be built in Whitley Wood after plans were approved last night (October 7).

St. Paul’s Church and two neighbouring houses on Whitley Wood Lane will be demolished and replaced with a health centre, church centre, community space, café, and two flats.

Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) Planning Applications committee unanimously approved the plans on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Whitley Wood will get new three-storey health centre and church

Demolition of iconic gas holder will NOT happen yet – council rejects request

Plans to begin the demolition of Reading’s last remaining gas tower this week have been rejected by the council.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) approved plans to demolish the landmark Gas Holder No.4, on Alexander Turner Close in east Reading, which overlooks the River Kennet, and build 130 flats last November.

Developer Danescroft had sought approval from the council to begin the demolition of the gas holder today (October 6) and said the demolition works would be finished by April 26, 2021.

But the council has told developer it is not able to approve the demolition at this stage until it gets more re-assurance about the safety of the works.

READ MORE: Newtown gas holder demolition plan will NOT happen yet – council rejects request

And finally…

Councillors have called on a homeowner – who has had plans rejected SIX times in THREE years – to “get the message” and submit a proposal that is “sensitive”.

RBC has rejected attempts to turn the large house at 39 Brunswick Hill, near Reading West Station, into flats in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and planning inspectors have now done the same.

A government planning inspector last week rejected the latest appeal by the homeowner against the council’s decision to reject an eight-flats plan in June, replicating decisions from two previous inspectors.

READ MORE:  ‘Greedy’ owner of a fine Edwardian house told to ‘get the message’ as fourth plan lined up

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for Planning, slammed the developer for the “greedy” plans at RBC’s Planning Applications committee meeting on Wednesday, October 7.