3 days ago
Conversion of huge former Three offices in Reading into 110 flats underway
The conversion of the huge former Three mobile offices in Reading into more than 100 flats is underway despite delays to the project.
Plans were previously approved to convert Great Brighams Mead in Vastern Road into 110 flats, with Three moving out to Green Park in 2022.
Now, the developers of the building have won permission to make changes to the exterior of the building to facilitate its conversion.
Elsewhere, a takeaway serving biryanis and other Indian food is due to be transformed into a restaurant, and a project to redevelop a long-closed betting shop is moving ahead.
You can view each decided application by typing the reference in brackets into Reading Borough Council's planning portal.
External changes to convert Three offices into 110 flats approved (PL/25/0052)
Approved elevation plans for the external alterations to Great Brighams Mead in Vastern Road, Reading. (Image: Ridge)
Changes to the exterior of Great Brighams Mead to facilitate its conversion into flats have been approved.
These alterations involve adding four new entrance ramps, new walling, and replacing windows and doors.
Extra time given to convert huge offices in Reading into 110 flats
Assessing the project, planning officer Matt Burns wrote: "The ramps are modest additions given the scale of the existing building and are not considered to result in a significant adverse impact on the appearance of the building.
"The proposed replacement windows and doors and infill brickwork work would match the existing building in terms of use of materials, colour and design and as such are considered to integrate satisfactorily with the appearance of the existing building."
Takeaway set to be transformed into restaurant (PL/25/0052)
Biryanish in Oxford Road, Reading. (Image: Google Maps)
The Biryanish takeaway in Oxford Road is due to be transformed into a diner-style restaurant as internal modifications have been approved.
The project involves relocating the kitchen and storage area to the rear of the building, clearing the way for a total of 43 seats for dine-in customers to be formed, while maintaining a takeaway function.
Streetview imagery shows Biryanish serving customers during the Reading Festival last year in a temporary outdoor area.
The premises was previously a fusion of Pizza King, King's Burger and the Jasmine Takeaway and the Singapore Takeaway before that.
Progress made on redevelopment of old betting shop (PL/25/0444)
The former Coral betting shop at 233 London Road, East Reading. (Image: Google Maps)
Progress is made on a project to redevelop an old betting shop to provide new commercial space and homes.
The Coral shop in London Road has been closed for more than five years, with developers winning permission to remodel the shopfront, add extensions to the building, and construct a new building to the rear containing six flats in June last year.
Now, some of the planning hurdles involved in the redevelopment have been cleared.
While the applicant has won approval of the details of the materials and how the construction will go ahead, they have been told they require permission from the council's network management team for any footpath or road closures.
