This week’s planning round up features the Natural History Museum coming to Thames Valley Science Park and a refusal for a new place of worship in Bracknell.

You can find out more about each planning application by searching the application number in either Bracknell Forest Council’s or Wokingham Borough Council’s planning portals.

Wokingham Borough Council: 232995

An extension to Thames Valley Science Park with plans to house a Natural History Museum site have been approved by Wokingham Borough Council.

Thames Valley Science Park, owned by the University of Reading, is already home to Shinfield Studios, the UK’s largest new TV and film studios.

The building would not be accessible to the public.

Bracknell Forest Council: 23/00128/FUL

A bid to convert a three-bedroom house into two homes has been refused by Bracknell Forest Council.

The house is at 17 Fencote in Bracknell.

Developers The Market Design and Build wanted to also extend the front of the house following the removal of a shed to the rear of the property.

But Bracknell Forest planning officers refused the plans on the basis that the application didn’t include ‘suitable avoidance and mitigation measures’, which are measures taken to avoid risks from occurring.

Bracknell Forest Council: 21/00245/FUL

Harmans Water community centre will not become a place of worship after an application was refused by Bracknell Forest Council.

The centre would have remained for some community use.

But hopes were dashed after council officers ruled that there would not be enough parking for a change in use of the building.

Planning officials said in their refusal that the existing car park did not have enough spaces, which would cause cars to park on surrounding roads.

Wokingham Borough Council: 241507

A street-art mural upon the entrance of Thames Valley Business Park has been approved by Wokingham Borough Council.

International street artist Captain Kris has been commissioned by park owners to paint the railway bridge upon the entrance of the park.

Proposals said that the mural ‘highlights the unique meeting point of leisure, nature and business’ as the first in a series of art installations.

Wokingham Borough Council: 241617

Hopes to change land at Ashdown Farm in Hurst for residential use has been refused by Wokingham Borough Council.

The land would have retained horses, but would have had a house, garage and swimming pool built on it, as well as parking.

But plans were refused by the council based on the principle of the development, with officers ruling that it would be an unsustainable location for housing given the countryside location.