Exciting look for new shops at Reading corner approved

Development company Thackeray Estates has won approval for its project to revitalise the junction of Queen Victoria Street and Friar Street, despite there being frustration over the length of time the development is taking.

In East Reading, restoration works for the Cemetery Junction Arch have been approved, but a plan to add more flats in the basement car park of a former office building has been rejected.

Further afield, Reading Borough Council has raised concerns about a project for an 'Energy Recovery Centre' that will incinerate waste close to the town.

You can view each application by typing the reference in brackets into the council's planning portal.

Changes to town centre courtyard development approved (PL/24/1292)

An approved shopfront design for the QVS1+ development in Queen Victoria Street, Reading. (Image: Falconer Chester Hall)

Thackeray Estates has won permission for shopfront designs at its QVS1+ development in Queen Victoria Street. 

Adjustments to the project were made in July, reducing the number of retail units provided from four to three. 

READ MORE: Changes made to transformational plan for town centre with reduced retail offer and more temporary stay rooms

The designs show that the shopfronts will be black with gold lettering.

The news comes as Salman Zahib, the owner of Mobile Kingdom, has voiced frustration at ongoing works to convert the upper floors of the corner building into 107 apartment-hotel rooms.

Cemetery Junction Arch restoration moving ahead (PL/24/1551)

The Cemetery Junction Arch. (Image: James Aldridge, LDRS)

Works to the iconic Cemetery Junction Arch in East Reading are set to move ahead as a crucial planning hurdle has been cleared.

In order for preservation works to start, details of how the project will be conducted had to be approved by the council's planning department, which has since been gained.

READ MORE: Historic junction archway to be restored as urgent repairs are needed

The project involves stone cleaning, conservation and replacing stone and conducting repairs.

A comprehensive method statement has been provided by Cliveden Conservation.

Conversion of basement car park into flats refused (PL/24/1285)

Alexander House 205-207 Kings Road, Reading, which is undergoing a conversion from offices into flats. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A plan to add six more flats to a former office building that is undergoing conversion into 27 apartments. 

Alexander House in Kings Road is subject to an approved plan to convert it into 19 flats, with a developer also having permission to add a floor to the former offices to create eight flats. 

READ MORE: Progress made on turning offices at standout roadside location into homes

However, an additional application to create six one-bed flats in the basement-level car park of the building was refused on November 28.

Concerns were raised that the future occupants would have insufficient access to daylight.

Concerns lodged over incinerator near Reading (PL/24/1486)

A CGI of what the incinerator might look like. (Image: J Mould / Enzygo)

The council has lodged its concerns about detailed plans for an incinerator that will be used to burn waste near Reading.

The J Mould waste management company has submitted detailed plans for its project to build an incinerator and data centre at the Reading Quarry in Berrys Lane, Burghfield.

READ MORE: Push for incinerator near Reading to be shut down before it is built

Reading Borough Council planning officers have raised concerns about the intensification of construction traffic, particularly if these vehicles are directed through town centre roads and residential areas.

Therefore, the council has requested details on proposed construction delivery times from J Mould.

A decision on the detailed plans will be made by West Berkshire Council.