Retail unit axed from house plan

BUILDERS constructing a two-and-a-half storey building in Tilehurst will no longer be including a retail unit.

The site, on School Road next to the Mad Hatters Pottery and Painting Café, will see a two-bed apartment on its ground floor, in addition to two two-bed and two one-bed flats.

Chesters Place has successfully applied to Reading Borough Council for the alteration, application reference 230241. It was approved at a meeting of the planning committee, subject to a section 106 legal agreement which would involve the firm paying a levy of £10,750 to fund affordable housing provision elsewhere in Reading.

While some neighbours objected over parking, it was noted that the ground floor apartment would generate less traffic than the originally proposed shop would do.

An earlier plan for the building application reference 211276, was refused by the council as an agreement between the developer and the council over S106 contributions was not reached.

While that refusal was overturned by a government planning inspector on appeal, adjustments to the plan were made in a newer application,

The MERL, Annual Daydream Harvest and Berzerk Productions are just a few of the projects who are assisting with the parades.

Speaking at the event’s first planning meeting back in January, Ms Bligh said: “The goal is to get people to see Whitley for what it really is, which is a place full of talent, excitement, art and culture.

“We want to give everyone in Whitley the opportunity to show their best side and what they can do.” n For more information, visit: www.whitleycarnival.co.uk

As part of the carnival’s fun day, the WCDA is on the lookout for singers, dancers and musicians to take part in Whitley’s Got Talent.

The friendly competition will take place from 1.30pm-3.30pm at JMA and gives residents the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community.

The parades will run from noon-1pm, starting from Reading Girls School, Northumberland Avenue, and Ridgeway Primary School, Hillbrow.

Both routes will finish at JMA, where the fun day will take place from 1pm4pm.

The pope inspects a copy of Repubblica