THE DEVELOPERS behind a new housing development in Caversham say they expect there to be high demand for the homes as construction gets underway.
Bovis Homes and Linden Homes are working to build 223 properties on the site for the former Reading Golf Club, off Kidmore End Road. It will be known as Emmer Green Drive.
Although Reading Borough Council granted detailed planning permission in June, the proposals were met with resistance from residents who had concerns about the plans.
The development will feature a mixture of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, and two-bed bungalows, over a 29-acre site.
Reading Golf Club moved to The Caversham, in nearby Mapledurham, in 2021.
Vistry Thames Valley, which owns both Bovis and Linden, say the development will include open spaces for recreational use, areas for wildlife, and play areas for younger people.
Alix Laflin, marketing manager at Vistry Thames Valley, said: “Emmer Green Drive will deliver a significant number of sustainable new homes for the local area, with the majority of homes benefiting from photovoltaic solar panels and electric vehicle charging points and more than a third of them heated by air source heat pumps.
“We have liaised closely with the local authority to ensure the housing mix meets the needs of the local area and 67 of the homes provided will be allocated as affordable housing for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership.
“This development has a particularly high number of three- and four-bedroom affordable houses, whilst most recent new build developments in Reading predominantly comprise one- to two-bedroom apartments.”
The first homes are expected to be offered for sale by the end of the year.
Alix said: “We expect there to be a high level of demand for these new homes on this fantastic site, less than three miles from the shops and bars of Reading town centre and a short distance from the popular Caversham Lakes and Marina which offer a host of walks and water sports activities. An added benefit for parents is that there are well-regarded schools within easy reach.
“As well as providing new homes, we will be investing in the wider area, with more than £3.75 million in contributions agreed for improvements to infrastructure and facilities, including funding for healthcare, recreation and leisure, bus services and roads.”
For more information about the new homes at Emmer Green Drive, visit bovishomes.co.uk or lindenhomes.co.uk
