A retail park in Reading that is home to Matalan, Home Bargains, Starbucks and an upcoming gym could all go to make way for 200 new homes.
Reading Link Retail Park is a destination for drivers who want to shop at Matalan, Home Bargains, The Food Warehouse, Magnet Kitchens, Sports Bike Shop, Bensons for Beds, and most recently, a Starbucks drive-thru.
The site is even due to host a JD Gym that will be open 24 hours a day.
But all of these stores could go to make way for 150-220 homes.
That is according to the Reading Local Plan, which is in the process of being partially updated since it was adopted in 2019.
Last year, Reading Borough Council issued a ‘call for sites’ as it is undergoing a partial update of its Local Plan.
Reading Link Retail Park owners Sorbon Estates suggested the 2.12-hectare site for redevelopment.
The council has stated that any proposed development should contribute towards an improved Sunday bus service to and from the town centre.
The site stands at the junction of the A33 and Rose Kiln Lane at the border of the Coley and Katesgrove areas.
Council planners also state that any development of the site should take account of the potential adverse impacts it could have on protected trees, the Kennet Meadows and the watercourse.
Furthermore, council planners have urged Sorbon Estates to consider the impacts of air quality and noise, and access to light for any future occupants.
Although Sorbon Estates has suggested the retail park as a site to deliver homes, it is likely that any redevelopment would be several years away, following the opening of Starbucks and news of the upcoming JD Gym.
The Starbucks drive-thru opened in May 2023, with the cafe being built on land that was previously used as overflow parking for the retail park.
The council rejected the project in 2019, with an appeal being dismissed in 2020, but revised plans were approved in 2022.
JD Gyms will occupy a new purpose-built facility that will be constructed on the car park of the retail park, with 47 spaces being taken up.
The draft Local Plan partial update document devised by the council states the development should be delivered in the ‘medium term’ between 2028 and 2033.
A consultation on the update was undertaken by the council for a month and 24 days.
Council officers are now considering the responses, with any changes to the partial update being made as appropriate.
A summary of these changes and the responses to each representation will be published in late April, ahead of its submission to the government for examination.
