Those in charge of one of the biggest flats developments in Reading town centre have applied to reduce the number of units it will have.

The apartment blocks are currently being built where Iceland and Wickes used to be, between Weldale Street and Chatham Street.

Now, the developers want to reduce the number of flats built.

In the eastern half of the town centre, at Jacksons Corner, a Thai restaurant has applied to install ventilation ahead of them opening.

Meanwhile, in Caversham, a homeowner has applied to replace their current house with a new dwelling.

You can view each plan by typing in the reference number in brackets on the council’s planning website here.

Reduction of flats for huge Weldale Street development (220512)

Reading Chronicle: The Foundry Quarter apartment blocks that are being built in Weldale Street, Reading town centre. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThe Foundry Quarter apartment blocks that are being built in Weldale Street, Reading town centre. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Ropemaker Properties Ltd, which is currently building three large apartment blocks in Reading town centre, has applied to reduce the number of flats in the development from 427 to 418.

Additionally, the application would involve changing the ground floor of  the building called Block B from a restaurant or shopping unit to a communal space with a gym.

Ropemaker successfully applied to reduce the flats from 427 to 422 in December 2019 under permission 191974.

The development is dubbed ‘The Foundry Quarter’ and has involved the demolition of Wickes and Iceland units.

When it was approved in November 2017, councillors criticised The Foundry Quarter plan for its ‘uninspiring’ design and ‘woeful’ affordable housing offer.

Thai restaurant gears up to open in Jackson’s Corner (220376)

Earlier this year, it was announced that Rosa’s Thai Cafe would be the first business to occupy Jackson’s Corner when it opens.

Rosa’s  is a popular cafe restaurant which serves up Thai dishes such as noodles and curries, as well as coffees, teas, wines and cocktails.

The company has a number of locations in London, Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool.

In preparation for its opening in Reading, Rosa’s has applied to install new air supply and extract ducting in an external area of the unit it will occupy.

Plan to build replacement home in Caversham (220441)

Reading Chronicle: Meadow View in Blagrave Lane, Caversham as it is currently. Credit: STL ArchitectureMeadow View in Blagrave Lane, Caversham as it is currently. Credit: STL Architecture

Here, the owners of Meadow View home in Caversham into a four bedroom home.

The existing house is a bungalow with three bedrooms situated in Blagrave Lane, a narrow lane to the west of the village.

The owners want to replace it with a new two-storey home with a roof.

Reading Chronicle: A CGI of the replacement home at Meadow View in Blagrave Lane, Caversham. Credit STL ArchitectureA CGI of the replacement home at Meadow View in Blagrave Lane, Caversham. Credit STL Architecture

Each bedroom upstairs would have a double bed, with the master bedroom also coming with a dressing room and bathroom, and one bedroom coming with an ensuite shower and toilet.

The new home would provide the occupants with an open plan kitchen and living room, a childs playroom and a study.

Conversion of house into two homes in Whitley (220381)

Reading Chronicle: 15 Highmead Close, Whitley. Credit: Google Maps15 Highmead Close, Whitley. Credit: Google Maps

Mr D Hill, the owner of 15 Highmead Close in Whitley has applied to convert the house into two homes.

The house has already been extended, and now he wants to divide it so to form a new home, which would be addressed as 15a Highmead Close.

The existing house has three bedrooms and a WC.

The new house would come with two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, and a toilet and open plan living downstairs.