PLANS to build nearly 50 apartments and homes near Reading town centre have been refused by the council.

This is one of the many planning applications submitted to Reading Borough Council in the past seven days.

To view more details for each application, go to the respective council’s planning portal with the reference number attached.

Construction of a 5G mast has been refused at Grove Road, Emmer Green, Reading (2200638).

CK Hutchinson Networks (UK) is rolling out its 5G network across the country and are aiming to add a few in Reading.

They wanted to add a long monopole with three additional equipment cabinets to support the network within the Emmer Green area.

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However, the borough’s planning officers refused the plans, believing it will impact the appearance of the surrounding area and the applicant did not submit any information if the proposal has any impact on the health of the general public.

The applicant also didn’t submit any information if there were any other suitable sites for the development to make it less intrusive.

Plans to build nearly 50 flats and homes were refused by the council at 9 Upper Crown Street, Reading (211614).

Reading Chronicle:

A developer has been blocked from demolishing the existing buildings and structures at the site for 46 dwellings.

Irongate Property (Reading) Ltd wanted to bulldoze the former Old Custom House, which the report states it has ‘no architectural merit’, for a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom flats and three-bedroom houses.

The plans also proposed 88 car parking spaces, including basement parking, 36 cycle spaces – which is the minimum required by the council – and private balconies for the apartments.

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The developer proposed the blocks to range between 2.5-storeys and five-storeys in height.

Reading planning officers rejected the scheme, believing together with the parking spaces and the buildings, it will result in a ‘cramped’ form of development and ‘poor quality’ areas.

They also said it will create a loss of privacy to neighbours as it will overbear their property.

A former retail store could see more flats developed at 11-12 Market Place, Reading (220725).

Reading Chronicle:

A developer wants to convert the fourth floor of the former Stevensons store that is connected to the Natwest Bank, which is five-storeys in height, into two flats.

A previous scheme to convert the vacant building into 14 apartments was approved last year. A second application was approved to increase to 17 units.

As it’s a town centre location, no parking is proposed but there are nine cycle stands for 17 bicycles located in the front entrance.

Reading planning officers are still yet to decide on the planning application.