Update for Reading 54 flat block in latest planning news

Work is progressing, albeit slowly, on the construction of a 54-home apartment block near Reading town centre.

In December 2021, a planning company won permission to demolish buildings and replace them with an apartment block in Chatham Street.

Demolition work has begun on the old buildings so the apartment block can be built.

Meanwhile, the opening of an Italian take-out restaurant in Broad Street has faced delays, with its owning company now applying to build a ventilation system.

READ MORE: Changes made to ‘rabbit hutch’ flats but councillor says they’re still ‘sub-standard’

Elsewhere, the company that owns the Three mobile has applied to build a 5G mast in Tilehurst.

You can view the applications submitted by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Update for 54 flat development (221560)

Reading Chronicle: CGIs of the plan to build 54 sustainable homes at 115 Chatham Street in Reading. Credit: DHA ArchitectureCGIs of the plan to build 54 sustainable homes at 115 Chatham Street in Reading. Credit: DHA Architecture

Demolition of a a two-storey office building and a two-storey warehouse at 115 Chatham Street has begun to make way for a 54 home apartment block.

Google Map images from November last year show the office building turned into a pile of rubble, with part of the warehouse building demolished as well.

Once both buildings are levelled, construction of the apartments will be undertaken by the Abri housing association.

Reading Chronicle: 115 Chatham Street, Reading. One of the buildings has been demolished. Credit: Google Maps115 Chatham Street, Reading. One of the buildings has been demolished. Credit: Google Maps

Consent for the demolition and construction of the apartment building was secured by Boyer Planning in December 2021 under plan reference 210349.

Abri has applied to alter conditions 10 and 14 of this consent, to submit the details required pre occupation of the new apartments, rather than pre-commencement of construction.

Delay to Italian take-out opening in Broad Street (221828)

Reading Chronicle: Coco di Mama at 4-5 Broad Street, Reading with the old Early Learning Centre branding exposed. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceCoco di Mama at 4-5 Broad Street, Reading with the old Early Learning Centre branding exposed. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The opening of the Coco di Mama in Broad Street is taking place longer than expected.

There were hopes that the Italian take-out would be opening last November, but works on unit 4-5 Broad Street which it occupies are delayed.

Construction workers were spotted in the unit on Friday, January 13, with old Earley Learning Centre branding being exposed from the shopfront.

Now, Coco di Mama’s owning company the Azzurri Group has applied to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to the rear of the unit.

New three flat home for family (221040)

Reading Chronicle: Elevations for the plan to construct one three flat building at 1 Hexham Road in Reading. Credit: Mohammed Safdar / John LingwoodElevations for the plan to construct one three flat building at 1 Hexham Road in Reading. Credit: Mohammed Safdar / John Lingwood

Mohammad Safdar, a landowner, has applied to construct one new three flat building at 1 Hexham Road, on the junction with Northumberland Avenue.

The site is currently ‘redundant land’ secured by a wooden fence.

According to an Affordable Housing Statement submitted by Mr Safdar himself, The aim of the development is to provide housing for his family and adult children.

Reading Chronicle: The site of the plan to construct a three flat building at 1 Hexham Road in Reading. Credit: Google MapsThe site of the plan to construct a three flat building at 1 Hexham Road in Reading. Credit: Google Maps

The new building would contain a total of nine bedrooms, with three bedrooms each across the three floors.

Each flat would also come with a kitchen room, dining room and shower toilet facilities.

Tilehurst 5G mast plan (230011)

Reading Chronicle: The site of a proposed 5G mast at Cockney Hill, Tilehurst. Credit: Google Maps The site of a proposed 5G mast at Cockney Hill, Tilehurst. Credit: Google Maps

CK Hutchison, the company that owns Three mobile, has applied to build a 5G mast at the junction of Cockney Hill and Honey End Lane in Tilehurst.

The mast would be 15 metres tall, and come with ancillary cabinets.

The nearest home is six metres tall, therefore the mast would taller than it by nine metres.

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