A READING landmark will be an integral part of a new housing development after planning permission was granted.
Councillors have approved Red Line’s plan to build 17 apartments and a community space on the former Reading Central Club site. Empty since 2006, the venue has a large mural dedicated to black history. It features images of Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jnr, as well as Reading people.
When Reading Borough Council invited tenders to redevelop the site, they made a stipulation that the mural should be restored and preserved on the site.
Red Line submitted plans last year. It would demolish the existing club and replace it with a three-storey building comprising seven one-bed, seven two-bed, and three three-bed apartments.
At a meeting of the planning committee held on Wednesday, July 19, councillors considered the application, noting the community space was not defined.
Cllr Simon Robinson (Conservative, Emmer Green) said: “We certainly welcome a development proposal on this site, given the fact that it has remained empty for so long.
“A major red flag is around community space. We have an application that comes before the committee and are faced with a situation where it’s a ‘oh we haven’t given that much thought that, we’re waiting and we will build it in later’.
“If we’re considering a planning application, we like to have everything in place. I’m not happy with this particular design or development.”
Cllr Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), said this it would be shaped in discussions with the community, giving greater flexibility.
Of the 17 apartments, two will be affordable: a one-bed and a three-bed apartment, and councillors wanted to know who would manage this, with Cllr Leng wanting the council to.
There was also a debate over what type of brick would be used for the building, with opposition councillors calling for brickwork to be more in keeping with others in London Street, a conservation area.
Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) replied by saying the focus has to be on the mural.
“This (the new building) is not here to shine, the objects that need to shine are at the ground level, and I would urge the minimalist approach of this building, and the massing that was kept commendably down,” she said.
Another councillor said approval would allow the space for to be returned to Reading’s Black community.
Cllr John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) said: “I think it would be a community value where culturally that can be used by the Black community, that would be a result after 15 years of pain.
“Keep the mural, move forwards, get some nice brickwork, and let’s get that club back up and running.”
The plan was approved with all Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat committee members voting in favour and Conservatives against it.
The council’s Labour administration faced criticism for accepting Red Line’s bid for the site, rather than one submitted by Aspire CIC, set up by members from the Afro-Caribbean community.
The approved application can be found on Reading Borough Council’s planning website, by searching for reference 221364.
