One of Reading’s MPs has raised concerns over the project to add towers to a shopping centre in the town.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, has written to Reading Borough Council’s planning department to object to the project to add 644 apartments to Broad St. Mall.
He has raised six issues, echoing concerns about the ‘excessive height’ of four proposed towers.
Mr Rodda said: “The applicant is proposing to build exceptionally tall tower blocks on this site, in what would be a sudden and dramatic change to the appearance of Reading town centre. This would be out of keeping with the town.”
He went on to explain that the current tallest building in Reading is 21 storeys tall, with the tallest proposed tower planned for Broad Street Mall being 31 storeys.
Mr Rodda said: “Jumping from 21 to 30 storeys is far too great a change, and I hope the council will oppose the application on this basis and for a number of other reasons.
“There are a series of issues with very tall buildings, including concerns about fire safety, the quality of life of residents, a lack of infrastructure for the large numbers of residents, obscuring views across the town and loss of light for nearby residents and businesses in lower rise properties.”
On fire safety, he hoped the council and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service would investigate the scheme in light of the Grenfell disaster.
The developer McLaren Living has stated that the project supersedes a similar towers plan approved by the council in December 2021, due to new safety rules dictating that towers over 18 metres must have two staircases, which each of the new towers will comply with.
Mr Rodda also criticised a lack of open space proposed.
He said: “I understand that the provision for open space and children’s play areas is very limited, and it appears that provision is far below what would be expected.
“This is another serious cause for concern, and I would ask the council to assess these and to raise my concerns with the developer.”
Another main objection was what Mr Rodda called ‘a serious lack of social housing’.
He said: “Reading faces a housing crisis and more homes to buy and let are urgently needed.
“I support appropriate redevelopment of brownfield land to help provide more homes. However, this proposal includes a very small allocation of social homes.”
Of the 644 apartments, 7.5%, approximately 48 would be provided at affordable rent levels.
Mr Rodda said: “This would only make a very small contribution to new social housing and would seem to be far lower than other similar applications.”
The application can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning portal.
Application 240173 is focused on the construction of the four new towers and demolition, and application 240174 relates to the building of a temporary construction area to facilitate the project.
