Changes have been made to a plan to create flats at a former bank in Reading town centre.
Extensive plans to transform the NatWest in Market Place into a place to live were given the go-ahead in 2024.
Adjustments have recently been made to the project.
That is just one of the planning updates in Reading over the last week.
Elsewhere, the conversion of offices above a barbers in the town centre has been refused, as has a homeowner’s plan for decking in Tilehurst.
You can view each application featured by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Changes made to create 15 flats at former NatWest building (PL/26/0652 and PL/26/0993)
A developer has made changes to the project to create 15 flats at the former NatWest bank in Market Place.
The plan, approved in September 2024, involves converting the former bank into two two-bed and two one-bed apartments, and works to the rear to create a three-bed flat, eight two-bed and two one-bed flats.
Adjustments include altered entrance arrangements for the rear ground floor level, reconfiguring cycle and waste access facilities, an enlarged basement, enlargement of a two-storey extension to create access from 11-12 Market Place, and changes to the proposed building line of the new build at fourth floor and roof level, together with various other associated alterations.
The building was closed after NatWest moved to The Oracle in January 2020.
Conversion of town centre offices into flats rejected (PL/26/0798)
A plan to convert offices above a barbers in Kings Road into three self-contained flats has been rejected.
The building is currently empty whilst construction works are ongoing.
Previously, an application was approved for a four-storey extension containing a ‘green wall’ to the rear, but a planning agent stated that the project could not be implemented.
The conversion of the upper floors of the existing building has been rejected as it fails to provide adequate housing and does not comply with the rules for office conversion into flats.
Decking for home in Tilehurst refused (PL/26/0774)
A couple’s plan to add decking ot the rear of their home in Tilehurst has been rejected.
Work has partially begun on the wooden decking to extend the floored area of their sloped garden at their semi-detached home.
But planning officer Gary Miles judged the decking to be an obtrusive and
incongruous addition which negatively affects the privacy of the neighbours.
The application was therefore refused on August 6.
New advertising for Savers store (PL/26/1054)
The Savers discount store on the outside of Broad Street Mall is set to get a new look.
The company has applied for fresh signage, with little change from the existing advertising, other than moving the Savers logo to the left, positioning ‘health’, ‘home’ and ‘beauty’ lettering to its right.
The shop can be accessed from St Mary’s Butts.
