This week’s planning roundup of decisions in Reading includes repairs to a drinking fountain, works at Royal Berkshire Hospital, an offices-to-flats conversion in Caversham and a health clinic becoming a house.
But we start with a controversial plan to erect a four-bed house in Emmer Green.
Four-bed house refused
READ MORE: 1,600 objections to plans for 265 new Tilehurst homes
A plan to build a four-bed house in Emmer Green was refused after more than a dozen neighbours objected.
The plans on Kidmore End Road were slammed by neighbours as “totally out of character”.
Their concerns included:
- It would negatively dominate the street
- Its detriment to the character of the area
- The removal of several trees
- The impact on light and privacy
- The plot is not large enough for a four-bed home
Reading Borough Council (RBC) refused planning permission, saying the application would be out of keeping with the form of other houses on the street and would have a cramped appearance which would harm the character of the street.
They also said the house would be overbearing, impacting on neighbours’ privacy and light and the living space and garden would be too small.
Similar previous applications at the plot have also been rejected by the council.
‘Dog fountain’ repairs
A ‘vandalised’ historic drinking fountain in the town centre will be restored.
The ‘dog fountain’ in Market Place, by St Laurence’s Church on Friar Street, is a Grade II listed Victorian gothic drinking fountain.
The drinking fountain dates back to 1860 and features a large bowl and two small drinking bowls at the bottom, hence the name ‘dog fountain’.
The 'dog fountain'
Reading Borough Council (RBC) submitted the plans.
The works, which will cost around £30,000, are to “repair vandalized stone elements using like for like materials and not a conservation”.
READ MORE: 'Vandalised’ historic 'dog fountain' in Reading town centre to be repaired
Health clinic will become house
A health clinic in Whitley Wood will be transformed into a four-bed house due to financial struggles.
Number 5 Whitley Wood Road is currently home to 21st Century Clinic since 2012, which provides physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, sports massages and other health services.
The health clinic that will become a house
The owner of the clinic said: “We opened the above business in 2012 and unfortunately we have no choice but to close at the end of the year.
“Financially we are no longer able to sustain it and I can no longer inject further capital into it, which at the moment is nearly £300,000."
Works at Royal Berks approved
Plans to replace an air handling unit on the roof of the maternity block at Royal Berkshire Hospital have been approved.
The existing air handling unit on level six of the maternity block is past being due for refurbishment and no longer compliant.
Royal Berkshire Hospital
The area proposed for the installation is an empty area of the maternity block roof that overlooks Craven Road.
Office-to-flats conversion
Offices in Caversham will be transformed into seven flats, after plans were approved this week.
The offices and former industrial unit at 70 South View Avenue will become one studio flat, two one-bed flats and four two-bed flats.
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