Planned changes coming for Tilehurst primary school

Works continue at Park Lane primary in Tilehurst, while permission has been granted for the retention of a teaching building at a school in Coley.

The applications were decided at a planning applications committee meeting on Wednesday, January 31.

Installation of new temporary building for infant school (231644)

A sketch of the Park Lane Infants School at 55 School Road, Tilehurst, with the approved new temporary building to the left and the permanent building to the right. Credit: Hampshire County Council Property Services

Councillors have unanimously approved the replacement of a modular building with a new two-storey temporary building at the Park Lane Infants School site at 55 School Road, Tilehurst.

The current modular building is used for teaching. The replacement building -which will be moved from Alfred Sutton School in East Reading – will allow Year 3 pupils to move to the Park Lane Infant School.

The existing temporary building used to teach Year 6 pupils at Park Lane Infants School at 55 School Road, Tilehurst. Credit: Google Maps

Additionally, the project involves modifications to external areas, including new play areas,  and a new pedestrian access off School Road.

The amount of parking spaces will also double from 11 to 22.

Demolition of annexe at junior school (231707)

The Park Lane Junior School annexe in Downley Road, Tilehurst. Credit: Google Maps

Councillors also unanimously approved the demolition of an annexe at the Park Lane Junior School at 130 School Road, Tilehurst.

The annexe is currently used to teach Year 6 pupils.

However, the moving of Year 3 pupils onto the Infant School site will allow Year 6 pupils to be taught within the main Junior School building.

READ MORE: Reading company fined after incident at Park Lane Primary School

The demolition of the annexe will allow an extension of the existing car park to create at least five regular spaces and two disabled spaces accessed from Downing Road.

The project will also include replacing windows and internal refurbishments.

Retention of temporary building at Coley school (231821)

The temporary modular classroom for Coley Primary School in Wolseley Street, Coley. Credit Google Maps

A temporary classroom building used to teach children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at Coley Primary School will be retained.

The modular building was installed back in 2014 on a five year temporary basis.

Oddly enough, consent for the building to remain lapsed in 2020, but councillors unanimously agreed that it should remain for five more years until 2029.

Cllr Jan Gavin (Labour, Caversham) said: “Clearly the school needs the accommodation in order to accommodate the number of pupils they require.”

Extension for Southcote council house (231580) 

The council house in Circuit Lane, Southcote, which has had improvement approved. Credit: Reading Borough Council

A council house in Circuit Lane will get a level driveway and a new extension now an upgrade project has been approved.

The project involves building a side extension to create a bedroom and wetroom for a disabled future occupant, with a paved driveway to create better access to the home.

Cllr John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) said the home is empty at the moment, but the changes were needed to provide suitable housing for a disabled individual or a family with a disabled child.

The project was approved unanimously.