This week’s planning roundup includes the loss of ‘charming’ century-old windows, a shop shut down for selling dodgy alcohol being turned into flats and extensions at houses across the town.

End for ‘charming’ century-old windows

Charming century-old windows will be replaced and a garage will be converted at a home in Tilehurst.

READ MORE: When construction of new Royal Berkshire Hospital could begin

The plans to extend the house on Clevedon Road were approved this week.

The approved plans include:

  • Replacement windows
  • A garage conversion
  • An extension to the rear of the garage
  • A corridor connecting the dwelling to the converted garage
  • Removal of one silver birch tree and replacement planting of three new trees

The proposal includes the removal and replacement of the existing original leadwork windows with new painted timber windows.

The existing leadwork windows are over a century old and officers said they “add a great deal to the charm of this arts and crafts style dwelling”.

However, the homeowner was keen to replace the windows with painted timber frame windows; a feature seen originally in some arts and crafts dwellings, including others in the immediate vicinity of the dwelling.

Officers said: “While a very unfortunate loss in terms of the existing character of the dwelling, the proposed change is not deemed harmful as the proposed changes are an authentic viable alternative in the architectural language of the dwelling.

“Furthermore, the dwelling is neither listed nor in a conservation area. As such, there are few policy tools available to control the replacement of these windows at this time.”

An extension was also approved at another home in Tilehurst, on The Triangle.

Flats plan approved at shop which lost licence for selling fake vodka

A shop that was shut down after selling dangerous fake alcohol is now to set to become flats.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) planning officers on Friday (October 8) approved plans to turn vacant shop Kush News and flats above on Southampton Street, into new apartments.

Currently, there are two flats on the two floors above the vacant shop, which lost its licence in 2017 after selling illegal vodka, whiskey, and wine.

READ MORE: Shop which lost licence for selling toxic fake vodka to become flats

Conservatory replacement plan approved

The replacement of a conservatory with a single-storey rear extension has been approved at a house in east Reading.

Officers said the plans on Talfourd Avenue were in accordance with the relevant planning policies.

While the new extension would take up slightly more of the garden, this was not considered an unacceptable loss of useable outdoor space.

Extension plan approved

Finally, a two-storey side extension at a home in Emmer Green will be demolished and replaced with a new two-storey side extension plus a single-storey rear extension

Officers said the plans on Crawshay Drive would improve the character of the house compared to the current extension.

As your local newspaper we’ve been keeping readers informed about what’s going on in your community for generations. To find out what’s going on near you, see thi week's Chronicle or the latest Public Notices onine here.