Rooftop safety rails and ladder at The Oracle, Bridge Street, Reading

“The supporting statement submitted with the application explains that the applicant has undertaken a health and safety assessment and identified that the existing rooftop lines are reaching the end of their operational life and due to regulatory changes (to BS 13700 - the official UK standard for permanent, freestanding roof guardrails and lines), the proposals are sought to partially replace the existing rooftop lines and handrails with equipment that is compliant with…”

“Where existing roof top lines and rails meet latest standards, these are to be retained. The replacement roof top rails are proposed various locations spread across the rooftops of The Oracle complex and adjoining buildings within the application site. The proposed location of new rails is shown delineated and annotated in red on the plan in figure 6 below and on the plans attached at the end of this report.”

“The application site comprises the entirety of the Oracle Shopping Centre and some surrounding buildings, consistent with the red-line application site boundary of the original permission (PL/97/0419) from 1997. This extends from Broad Street in the north, Duke Street, Yield Hall Place and London Street in the east, Mill Lane to the south and Bridge Street to the west. This is shown below in figure 1.”

“In the surrounding area there are a wide mix of uses (both commercial and residential) and building types, including a number of other listed buildings (e.g. fronting Gun Street). As per the aerial view provided at figure 2 below, the site and surrounding area is within the heart of Reading town centre.”

“There have been numerous planning applications at the wider Oracle site since the original permission to which this application relates. 4.2 97/0017/FD / 970419 – Demolition of existing buildings, redevelopment and change of use to provide: shopping centre (Class A1, A2 & A3), 41 residential units, leisure facilities including multi screen cinema (Class D2), car parking (2390 spaces) and community uses together with associated landscaping etc.”

“Former Debenhams Department Store, West of Yield Hall Place: 221916/FUL - Mixed use development comprising part demolition of former department store and erection of new building comprising up to 202no. build to rent residential dwellings (Class C3) and 1,209 sqm commercial uses within Uses Class E and / or bar (Sui Generis Use).”

“Public Notification 5.3 4 x site notices were displayed at the application site on 20 th May 2026. No letters of representation have been received.”

“The Committee considered a report on the above application.”

“That planning permission for application PL/26/0573 (FUL) be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”