Ruth Lucas

London, Reading

Local Democracy Reporter at The Reading Chronicle

Articles

Kebab van owner 'categorically denies' alleged racism towards customer

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Muhammet Alpar faced a licensing panel at Wokingham Borough Council on June 2 for the renewal of his trading licence at Milestone Avenue in Charvil. The business owner was previously associated with another takeaway van - Mo's Kebabs - which had its licence revoked in December. Although the licence holder was listed as Jan Ratip, licensing officers said Mr Alpar was heavily involved in the business, and was suspected of an 'affray' being investigated by Thames Valley Police.
Contentious plan for 350 homes in village approved at appeal

5 days ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Berkley Strategic Land Ltd will build the homes and 68-bed care home on land opposite Blagrove Lane in Barkham. Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee refused the proposal in September after it received more than 1,000 objections from locals. Along with this will be a 26-football pitch sized park and affordable homes provision. This will be built following the demolition of agricultural buildings and outbuildings on the land.
Plans to convert former school into flats refused for second time

5 days ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Developer Quentin Trivior Ltd wanted to convert the former site of Meadowbrook Montessori Pre-School on Bracknell Road, Warfield, into six flats. The school closed its site on Bracknell Road in 2018, and a new site at Malt Hill remains open, but under a new education provider. The main school building would contain a three-bedroom flat, two two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats. Meanwhile another single-storey building would become a two-bedroom home.
Takeaway allowed to sell alcohol despite neighbour complaints

1 week ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Mr Satpal Singh Madhan faced a licensing panel at Bracknell Forest Council on May 29 for a premises licence at number 2 Warren Row, Ascot. The businessman won approval to convert the Generations Hair Salon into a takeaway in October after the council refused proposals. Council planning officers refused the plans due to fears of illegal and obstructive parking in the residential area. But government inspectorate Simon Rawle ruled this would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety.
Winnersh: Plans to extend 510 Reading Road refused

1 week ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

The flats on Reading Road (Image: Google Maps) A refusal to add new flats to an existing block features in this week's Bracknell and Wokingham planning round-up. You can find out more about each application by searching the planning portal of either Bracknell Forest Council or Wokingham Borough Council's website. Bracknell Forest Council: 23/00762/OUT Ten homes will be built south of London Road in Binfield after plans were approved by the council.
Bracknell Pride host: Concerns over drag name 'taking away' from event

1 week ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Bracknell Forest's third Pride event at the Lexicon Shopping Centre on June 7 is being hosted by family-friendly drag artist Fonda. But a mistake in advertisement from Bracknell Forest Council - referring to the artist's usual full name of Fonda Cox - drew criticism from residents who claimed this was against the 'family-friendly' nature of the event.
Plans for banking hub to open in church building

1 week ago | aol.com | Ruth Lucas

Plans to open a banking hub in a church building have been revealed. Bank-owned Cash Access UK has applied to temporarily convert an "underused office" to the east of Crowthorne Baptist Church on High Street in Crowthorne, Berkshire, into the hub for up to three years. The hubs provide cash and basic banking services from a number of banking brands, with staff available to help customers in person. Bracknell Forest Council has validated the application and a decision is yet to be made.
Council leader defends spending £20k on new executive positions

1 week ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Wokingham Borough Council’s Liberal Democrats announced two members would be joining the decision-making executive in May. The authority, which is one of the lowest paid unitary councils in the country, announced its executive members at the annual council meeting on May 22. Leader of the Council Stephen Conway said Cllr Lou Timlin would become executive member for community safety and public protection, while Cllr Martin Alder would become executive member for planning and enforcement.
Plans for new restaurant and gym close to town centre revealed

1 week ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Bracknell SPV wants to convert part of the Origin building on Western Road, Bracknell, into a restaurant and gym. Parts of the ground, first and second floor would be used for the conversion, plans submitted to Bracknell Forest Council indicate. While the restaurant would be located on the ground and first floor of the building, the gym would be put into the second floor. The office building is close by to Bracknell town council and the Western Industrial Estate.
Crowthorne: Plans to open banking hub in Baptist church

1 week ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Ruth Lucas

Cash Access UK has applied to convert part of Crowthorne Baptist Church on High Street, Crowthorne, into the hub. The proposed space is currently an 'underused office' to the east of the building. The hubs work to provide cash and basic bankingÂ services from a number of banking brands, with staff available to help customers in person. With more than 150 now open across the UK, they have become essential for areas where bank branches have closed down.