New Flats Approved at Reading Office Complex

Plans have been approved to create more flats at a huge office complex in Reading town centre.

Planning decisions in Reading town centre have cleared the way for more homes and a nursery as developers convert unused buildings.

Creation of additional apartments at defunct office (PL/25/1711)

The McGrath Group, owners of the Abbey Gardens office complex visible from King’s Road, has won permission to create more apartments. The defunct office is planned to be converted into 92 or 107 flats. The latest permission adds 17 flats within the attic and roof space of the northern and middle blocks. The project was approved under permitted development rights on January 19.

Building standards met for shop or cafe at apartments (PL/26/0054)

Building standards have been met for a ground-floor retail unit at the new ‘Emporium House’ apartments on Weldale Street. The council has confirmed the draft BREAM for a shop, restaurant or cafe at the site. These flats replaced the old Iceland and Wickes stores and the development has previously been called the Foundry Quarter and later rebranded Domain Reading.

Details for conversion of hotel into nursery (PL/25/1631)

Further planning details for converting the Beech House Hotel on Bath Road into a nursery have been approved. Permission to convert the hotel was granted in September last year, subject to more detailed plans. On January 21 the applicants won approval for bin storage, a buggy store, an acoustic fence, cycle parking, and the construction method for the conversion works.

Change to creation of flats in Caversham rejected (PL/25/1608)

Plans to amend the creation of flats at St Martins Precinct in Caversham have been refused. Site owner Sorbon Estates had applied to change proposals for Phase 1A to add 30 to 40 new apartments and retail space, arguing the changes were 'non-material amendments'. The council’s planning department disagreed, ruling the changes material and meaning full permission is required.

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

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter