A landmark decision that will change the future of The Oracle in Reading forever has been approved.
The shopping centre was opened in 1999 and has become the prime retail and leisure destination in the town.
But in a major decision, Reading Borough Council has approved a project that will transform the eastern portion of the site.
The project is split into two. The first phase involves the former Debenhams, which will be replaced with 218 flats, co-working office space, and a leisure unit.
The second phase would see the Vue Cinema, Miller & Carter and Cote Brasserie replaced with 218 flats, a new Vue and a restaurant unit.
The development will therefore total 436 apartments, in a mix of one, two and three-bed flats.
Councillors in Reading debated for about an hour before reaching a decision.
Councillor Richard Davies (Labour, Thames) said: “The improvements to the ground floor units I’m completely happy with, the slight reduction in floorspace I understand, I’m happy with the cinema as well, the 10 per cent affordable I’m not that happy about, but it’s understandable.
“The more difficult aspect is the visual impact. This will change that area for my lifespan.
“Does the applicant have the best interest of the commercial viability and vitality of the town at heart? I think they do.”
However, there were serious concerns about the impact on Reading’s heritage townscape and the lack of affordable housing, with just 10 per cent of the development being designated affordable.
Cllr Josh Williams (Green, Park) said: “What does Reading need? Reading needs affordable housing, not more one-bed flats. A smaller scheme with a more generous affordable housing offer would be appreciated. Fundamentally, Reading does not need one-bed flats, and the applicants don’t even meet us halfway on affordable housing.”
Earlier, it was mentioned that Hammerson could pay up to £16 million for affordable housing elsewhere.
Cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) said: “I don’t think these are the homes Reading needs. I don’t disagree with the height, but I do feel there should be more units with more rooms in them.”
She also suggested that The Oracle redevelopment could provide a Cycle Hub, which is currently in the old Mothercare in King Street.
Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) said: “This is a knife-edge application, there’s no doubt about it. Developers are asking how can we have that community mix and make money?
“This provides over 400 units. This has gone back and forth. I don’t think we could get another drop out of the lemon.
“Where would you put these? There is no place to put it, this is the way we are going! I don’t want to be building on green space in the countryside.
“We have to work as best as we are able to put housing in a small footprint. We have no choice but to go up. We’re becoming a grown-up city.”
She also mentioned how she grew up in New York, which she felt provides a good example of how to create a great public realm.
Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “The Oracle was opened in 1999, and we had the dotcom after that, and retail has fundamentally changed since it opened. Then we had COVID, which also fundamentally changed going to shops and doing things.
“Actually, we don’t need retail units in the way we have today, the landscape has changed. The Oracle being empty doesn’t help anyone.”
Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley) argued that retail remains an important facet of the town.
He said: “I’m not in favour of car-free developments, but if it can work, it will work in the town centre.
“We’ve got a fantastic bus service and one of the busiest train stations in the country.”
He also asked Hammerson to assist with installing defibrillators to help with medical emergencies, which was accepted.
There were two votes covering the Debenhams, called Yield Hall Place 1 and Vue, called Yield Hall Place 2.
Both votes were the same, with the Labour councillors and cllr Moore voting for it, and councillors Williams, McCann and Stephen Goss (Conservative, Emmer Green) voting against it.
