PLANS for new homes and adult care services have been green-lit for a site in Whitley.
Reading Borough Council has announced that proposals for a number of new homes and provisions for adult social care have been granted approval.
The plans for development on the corner of Hexham Road and Northumberland Road were approved at November’s Planning Applications Committee following a unanimous agreement by councillors.
Proposals for a site would see 42 new homes put in place for residents aged over 55, including 36 sheltered accommodation homes, spread over a number of two-, three-, and four-story blocks.
Support would be provided for those who require it in sheltered housing and all of the homes would be let at affordable rent rates.
A ground-level day centre would also provide space for services aimed at those with multiple or profound learning difficulties, complete with access to a courtyard.
The location is the former site of The Willows, a residential care home which closed in 2020, which was cleared last year.
The plans come as part of a wider catalogue of measures put forward by the council aimed at creating homes and services for vulnerable residents.
This includes modular accommodation for those sleeping rough, and upcoming proposals for provisions in Amethyst Lane and Dwyer Road, Southcote.
Further plans will see homes built on the former site of Central Pool in Battle Street and Arthur Hill on Kings Road.
More than 600 residents in Reading have profound or multiple learning difficulties.
Ellie Emberson, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for housing, said: “The development of this site will provide much needed high quality affordable sheltered housing.
“It demonstrates our continued strong commitment to make the best use of our land to deliver new housing opportunities for residents in our town.”
Paul Gittings, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for adult social care, said: “This forms part of a significant investment in our Adult Social Care services.
“And it exemplifies the Council’s commitment to providing the right care, in the right place at the right time, and assisting people with support when they need it while living as independently as possible.”
Full details of the plans for The Willows are available via: democracy.reading.gov.uk/documents, reference 230279.
