Investigations are continuing into the death of a man who was fatally injured while working at a site where new affordable homes are being built in Reading.
Groundworks are currently being undertaken at a construction site in Amethyst Lane, Southcote.
The site previously served as the Amethyst Lane Day Centre and offices for the council’s Protection and Planning department, which were both closed by 2019.
Reading Borough Council has an approved project to replace these with 17 council homes and a respite care facility.
Tragedy at the site struck when a 36-year-old man was injured while working at around 9.20am on Wednesday, February 19.
He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where he died of his injuries on Sunday, February 23.
The circumstances of his death are being investigated by Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Councillor John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) who represents the area, said: “It’s awful news, my thoughts go out to the family and friends of the young worker.”
The man has not been named as an inquest into his death by Berkshire Coroner’s Office has not been opened yet.
The project for the 17 homes and respite care facility was approved by the council’s planning applications committee in December 2023.
Once construction is complete, the site will be made up of 10 three-bed and seven four-bed homes contained within three new terraces, which will all be made available through social housing rent levels.
Meanwhile, the care facility will allow full-time carers of loved ones, friends and the people they look after the ability to go on holiday for a break from their daily care duties.
Speaking when the project was approved, cllr Ennis said: “I very much welcome this, it’s 100 per cent affordable housing, but particularly also a respite care facility, I thank the adult social care team for creating the vision of what is desperately needed in Reading.
“Linking in with other developments that we’ve agreed to, it will provide for an overall decent offer for adult social care here.”
The latest news in planning terms is that details of the brickwork and solar panels for the new buildings have been approved.
The buildings will be constructed with a mix of red and light grey brick.
While details of the solar panels have been the council is also seeking to add air source heat pumps to both the homes and the care facility.
However, additional information is required by the council’s planning department before heat pumps can installed at the respite care facility.
You can view the approved applications by typing the following references into the council’s planning portal:
Brick details – PL/25/0246
Solar panels – PL/24/1208
