Five planning applications submitted in Reading this week 

New snooker social club

A new private members social club could replace a depot on Richfield Avenue after planners gave permission. The depot used to be used by the post office as their staff club. 

Planning documents state the club could be a snooker hall. Nearby in the industrial area is a casino and Phantom, a microbrewery with a taproom. 

Single storey side extension

Residents can build a single storey side extension on their house at Buckingham Drive, Emmer Green. Planners said it would be “harmful to the character or appearance” of the house or the street, and it would not have a “detrimental impact”. 

The plans also involve demolishing an existing garage and building a new one. 

Cut back trees at Christ Church School

Trees can be cut back and pruned at Christ Church Primary School. The applicant wanted to cut back the lime trees on Milman Road by three metres, to address subsidence issue. 

But planners refused permission as it would be “detrimental” to the health of the trees, and would have “no notable benefit to the school or residents adjacent”. Instead they said the trees can be cut back, but by less than originally applied for. 

Turn a warehouse into six flats

An application to turn a warehouse into six flats was refused. The warehouse has a floor space of 1,000 square metres and is currently for sale. The applicant wanted to convert half of it into flats. 

It is in a residential area, on St Johns Road. But because the floor space is more than 500 square metres, and contamination risks, planners refused permission. 

Station Hill development

An exploratory archaeological investigation at the Station Hill development can take place after planners gave permission. The investigation will determine whether any “areas of archaeological interest” with plots E and F at the development.

A public information event will be held about the whole development on January 31 and February 1 at the Biscuit Tin, near the train station.