Progress is being made on the conversion of defunct offices into flats at a stand-out area of Reading town centre.

Soane Point in Market Place is currently undergoing conversion into more than 100 flats, with the developer winning permission to 'spruce up' the front of the building.

Elsewhere, a plan to create additional parking spaces at a classy spa has been rejected.

You can view each decided application by typing the references in brackets into the council's new planning website.

Materials for office conversion into flats approved (PL/23/1807 and PL/23/1790)

Details of what materials will be used for the frontage of Soane Point in Market Place have been approved.

Tene Living is currently engaged in a project to convert the building into 144 flats and add 38 more flats using extensions, bringing the total to 182.

During discussion at a planning applications committee meeting in February last year, councillors welcomed news that the project would 'spruce up' the frontage of the building.

Details of the materials used for the fronts in Market Place and Abbey Square were approved on August 6.

Parking spaces at spa rejected (PL/23/1661)

A plan to expand the car park at the Thames Lido by 21 spaces has been rejected.

The Thames Lido is a classy destination with a private swimming pool, restaurant and spa off Kings Meadow Road near the town centre. 

The current car park has 37 spaces surfaced in compacted gravel, with the business hoping to expand it to create a total of 58 spaces.

However, a Reading Borough Council planning officer judged that the expansion would result in an unacceptable loss of open green space. The plan was therefore rejected on August 5. 

Upgrades to house approved (PL/24/0012)

The replacement of windows of a historic house along a busy road in the town has been approved.

The property in London Road is Grade II listed as it dates back to the mid-19th century and has character features.

While the usage of the building is unknown, the plan was submitted by the Polish Catholic Mission.

The Piwnica Polish restaurant is located next door, and Catholic worship in Polish is held at the Sacred Heart Church in Watlington Street.

Changes to historic building in town centre approved (PL/24/0061)

The owner of a historic building in Castle Street has won approval to create a hallway and conduct floor repairs. 

The building is currently used for commercial purposes with businesses occupying it. 

It is also Grade II listed as it is thought to date back to the 16th century. 

A council planning officer concluded that the internal works would not be damaging to the building as a heritage asset, and approved the project.