A new housing and care site that is being built in an estate in Reading is just months away from completion.
The new building stands at the prominent corner of Northumberland Avenue and Hexham Road in Whitley.
Once complete, it will contain 42 one-bedroom flats, and a dedicated day opportunities centre is being built for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
The project is being undertaken by Reading Borough Council after councillors decided to close The Willows, which occupied the site in January 2019.
The Willows was a ‘reablement’ facility used by the council to house people who needed help recovering from injuries.
The facility closed after the decision was made in 2020, with the services being moved to Charles Clore Court in Southcote.
Plans then emerged to replace The Willows with 43 flats and a care facility emerged in 2023 and were ultimately approved by the council’s planning applications committee in April last year.
The construction contractors Morgan Sindall were selected a month earlier, with the council celebrating the framework of the building being completed that November.
Photos from the site show the exterior construction is nearly complete, with scaffolding remaining while work continues.
A sizeable tree has been retained and is visible from the junction with Northumberland Avenue.
A construction crane remains on site to assist with the project.
At the time of the structure being completed last November, Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley) lead councillor for adult social care said: “This is going to be a great facility for Reading residents.
“In the Adult Social Care service, we aim to support the life that matters to our residents, so that means providing good quality facilities.
“This means purpose-built day care facilities with specialist equipment to match the quality of care from our staff.
“Visitors’ time will be filled with activities in supportive and attractive surroundings. I am sure the garden will be well used, providing a sanctuary and a beautiful outlook.
“This will be a fantastic facility for people who need to use our services, as well as for their families, who will know they are getting excellent care.”
The four storey building will contain the day opportunities centre on the ground floor, with 36 one-bed sheltered housing units for people aged 55 and over, and six general needs one-bed flats in the upper levels.
Matt Yeo (Labour, Caversham) lead councillor for housing, added: “We need one-bedroom homes for people looking to downsize from bigger family homes, which can then be used for other families on our waiting list, or whose circumstances have changed.
“Affordable properties which have the security of having access to assistance are important for residents as well as the ability to be their own community.
“This will be a great asset to the town, helping those who live alone with affordable properties.”
The project is due to be completed in August this year.
