READING Borough Council has announced that 46 households are set to move into a new housing complex following its completion.
A new housing project is set to see people moving in this week as the complex at Wensley Road is now ready to welcome new residents.
On Wednesday, January 28, new tenants will be joined by Reading Central MP Matt Rodda, as well as council officers to mark the official opening of the new homes.
The complex features two 4-bed houses, 26 3-bed houses, two 1-bed and two 2-bed wheelchair accessible ground floor flats, six 1-bed flats and eight 2-bed flats.
Many are already occupied, with the remainder allocated and soon to be filled.
The new homes form just part of a wider Wensley Road estate improvements project, which has seen a new play park opened, improved landscaping including new pathways, and new parking spaces and roads.
The regeneration project will now continue with a series of additional projects due to start in September next year to enhance and update the three towers.
They include new windows for all flats, refurbished lifts, renewed heating systems, landscaping to areas around each tower, an enclosed refuse facility, and a replacement of all outside insulation.
The new homes at Wensley Road bring the number of new Council homes built for residents to almost 177 in the last five years, not including acquisitions.
A further 362 across a number of additional sites have either begun or are being planned before the end of 2029.
Matt Yeo, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Housing, said:
“I’m delighted that this development is complete and many people are already enjoying their fantastic modern new homes which are of really high quality.
“I’m particularly pleased that all 46 homes are being occupied by residents who have already lived on or grown up in the neighbourhood, preserving the existing local community.
“These families have been able to watch – from their old homes – their new homes being constructed.
“They will now be able to see the continued improvements being made with the work to the towers over the next few years through the second phase of improvements.”
He explained: “It’s also important that the homes we are providing continue to reflect our response to the climate emergency through environmentally-friendly features which will also help ensure energy costs stay as low as possible.
“I’m excited that our ongoing new build programme will continue to provide even more affordable homes for people in Reading in the coming years.”
