Preparations are continuing at the former House of Fraser in Reading ready for a bowling centre and fashion store to open this summer.
The House of Fraser at The Oracle closed in 2023, with Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx set to open in August.
Recently, a plan to install essential equipment to serve the newcomers was approved.
Elsewhere, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is set to install new heating at two of its stations.
You can see each application decided by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Latest on Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx coming to The Oracle (PL/25/0036)
Essential air conditioning equipment is due to be installed ready for the upcoming occupants of The Oracle Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx.
Although House of Fraser did have this equipment, a new installation is required following its division into three separate units.
The air conditioning system will be installed on the roof of the former department store building.
The project and associated works were approved by the council’s planning department on March 18.
Heating and lighting changes for Caversham Road fire station (PL/25/0019)
RBFRS has won permission to install an air source heat pump system and more changes at Caversham Road fire station.
The project involves the installation of the heating system, replacement of roof lights and the installation of acoustic barriers to provide sound damping.
Planning officer Gary Miles judged that the application was beneficial as it would reduce the carbon footprint and overall energy cost of the building.
It was approved on March 14.
New heating system for Whitley Wood fire station (PL/25/0020)
A similar project for an air source heat pump with acoustic screening has been given the go-ahead at Whitley Wood fire station.
Additionally, RBFRS will be replacing single-glazed with double-glazed windows where required.
The council’s environmental protection officer was satisfied that revised noise mitigation measures would help dampen the sound of the heat pump, which has the potential to disturb neighbours.
Ultimately, the project was judged acceptable and approved on March 14.
New home in Coley refused (PL/25/0059)
A plan to add a new two-bed house to a semi-detached home in Coley has been rejected.
The owner had applied to add a two-bed home to the existing property through a two-storey wrap-around extension.
However, planning officer Marcelina Rejwerska ruled that the extension would be too large, had a ‘contrived layout’ and would be unsympathetic to both the host dwelling and the character of the area.
The project was refused on March 12.
