READING Borough Council has approved further council housing at a committee meeting on Wednesday, November 9.
Proposals for 87 new homes were considered and approved at the Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee.
The shortlist of sites includes plans for 38 homes on Amethyst Lane and 30 on Dwyer Road, as well as a range of smaller sites where 1-3 homes would be built.
It is part of the council’s strategy to make use of disused land and derelict areas to provide homes for those on the housing waiting list.
Plans will see an investment of £29.6 million, with the project set for completion by 2025.
The new housing would continue the council’s commitment to building homes to Passivhaus principles, a standard which ensures that the buildings are “net-zero ready” and optimised to reduce carbon footprint.
Practices such as the use of triple glazing, air source heat pumps, and solar panels are some of the techniques being used by Reading Borough Council.
Building energy-efficient homes also ensures that bills are kept as low as possible for the residents who live there.
Cllr Ellie Emberson, Lead Member for Housing, said: “It is important that we continue to provide safe and sustainable homes for Reading’s residents and families, and this proposal will help us continue to build the homes needed in Reading.
“I’m proud that we build our housing to Passivhaus principles which not only helps tackle the climate crisis, but also delivers long-term energy savings to our tenants.
“We want to establish Reading as a stimulating and rewarding place of choice to live, and this next phase of council housing is a key part of that.”
The full plans can be viewed online via democracy.reading.gov.uk.
Reading Borough Council was awarded Homebuilder of the Year at the 2021 UK Housing Awards.
