Improved facilities from Oxford Road entrance to platform 1 and platform 2. Provision of gate lines to enhance safety and security to the station access from Oxford Road to platform 1 and platform 2. Provision of a new station building on Oxford Road to provide ticketing, gateline, staff mess area with WC, public WC and small retail area.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting which amended proposed Condition 14 to specify the timescale for stopping up of the existing highway.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Resolved –

          That planning permission for application 201448/FUL be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended in the original report, with condition 14 amended as recommended in the update report.

(Councillor Page declared a prejudicial interest in the above application on the grounds of predetermination.  As Chair of the Berkshire Local Transport Body he had been involved in the decision to grant funding for the Reading West station scheme and had promoted the scheme.  He made a statement to the Committee and took no further part in the debate or decision.)