Plans have been submitted to pave over a listed cobbled courtyard at a hotel in the town centre after unauthorised works were previously halted.

The Mercure George Hotel, on 10-12 King Street, stopped works to flatten out its cobbled courtyard, which is protected by Grade II listing, in June after the Reading Borough Council (RBC) intervened.

Residents had raised concerns after spotting works taking place and the hotel agreed to suspend the work after the council reminded them of the need for listed building consent.

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The works at 10-12 King Street are thought to have been aimed at making it easier to provide seating in the courtyard but listed building consent is required to make any changes.

The hotel has now submitted an application for listed building consent, seeking to build a flat surface over the cobbled courtyard to provide outdoor seating

The existing flooring would be protected by a PVC waterproof sheet, with the new paving slabs will be laid over and would effectively be a temporary structure, according to the hotel’s planning consultant Spacebrand.

The Mercure George Hotel is currently up for sale.

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Prezzo and Workhouse Coffee Company are also part of the 10-12 King Street site, with the businesses paying rent to the hotel's owners.