Wokingham theatre, which has occupied its current location since 1985, has won approval to build a major extension.
The volunteer-run theatre in Cantley Park, which can trace its roots back to 1947 and was known as the Wokingham Players, wanted to build a two-storey extension to join its main building to a temporary storage facility.
Plans submitted to Wokingham borough council said the building would be used for a costume store, dressing room, store and toilets on the ground floor.
The second floor would host a studio theatre and rehearsal room, storage, a tech box and open air space for air conditioning units.
Plans also involve relocating the existing access 25 metres to the east, providing seven new parking spaces.
Proposals said the extension had been designed to be ‘sympathetic’ to the existing building.
Neighbours in Cantley House Hotel, which hosts a restaurant and events, said the plans did not include any drawings to show the height of the building.
A spokesperson wrote to the council, and said: “We are concerned that the proposed building will affect the view of the park, as the development is close to our boundary.
“As a wedding venue that relies on its countryside location, any overdevelopment of the area will negatively impact the business.”
The spokesperson said construction noise could be disruptive to hotel guests.
Despite those concerns, Wokingham borough council approved the plans along with support from Wokingham town council.
