Tilehurst development of 54 homes given go ahead

The developer has signed an agreement with Reading Borough Council which means its plan to demolish and replace a closed fire station can go ahead.

Elsewhere, new flats in the town centre have passed build quality checks, and a new cafe could expand.

You can view each application featured below by typing its reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Redevelopment of fire station clears planning hurdle (221130)

The old Tilehurst Fire Station at 103 Dee Road, Reading. Credit: Google Maps

The plan to replace Dee Road fire station with 54 homes can go ahead as developers Bellway Homes have cleared a crucial planning hurdle.

Councillors unanimously voted to approve the development on May 31.

However, approval was given subject to a Section 106 legal agreement being signed between  Bellway Homes and the council, which has now been agreed.

It means work to demolish the fire station building can begin. Once that is completed 31 houses and 23 flats will be built on the site.

Jackson’s Corner flats receive clean bill of health (230894)

Jackson's Corner. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Flats that make up the long-running redevelopment of Jackson’s Corner in Reading have received a clean bill of health following a build quality assessment.

Back in 2018, developers Kings Road LLP won approval to redevelop Jackson’s Corner to provide enlarged commercial space and approximately 33 flats on site.

Planning consent was granted on the condition that the flats fulfil Building Research Establishment (BREAMM) quality requirements.

Recently, council planning officer Marcie Rejwerska confirmed that the new flats do comply with BREAMM requirements.

There are also plans for food businesses to occupy restaurant units in Jackson’s Corner.

So far, Rosa’s Thai Cafe and the Fat Hippo burger chain have shown interest in opening.

New cafe applies for more space (231051)

The Freshop Reading shopfront and outdoors design at 308 Oxford Road, Reading. Credit: Pioneer Designs Ltd

The owner of a new cafe in a busy area of Reading has applied to create more space.

The applicant acquired 308 Oxford Road, which previously served as a Mind charity shop, recently and has converted it into a cafe.

Now, the owner wants to add a canopy and install seating for a veranda.

Plans shows a black branded ‘Freshop’ shopfront, with seating for eight people outside and 18 guests inside.

New kitchen living room for East Reading house (231332)

The elevation plan for the kitchen living room extension at 244 Wokingham Road, Reading. Credit: The Keen Partnership

The owners of 244 Wokingham Road in East Reading have applied to create a new kitchen and living room.

This would be achieved by building a single-storey extension to the rear of the home.

A sketch shows a table with eight chairs being located in the planned for space, which itself would be next to a ground-floor double bedroom.