More than 1,000 apartments could be built in Reading in the coming years as a series of huge projects might be decided this year.
The biggest of these would see several hundred flats built in individual locations, with approximately 1,700 homes in the pipeline overall.
Plans have stretched back for years to transform the area around the Reading FC Stadium into a place to live and a leisure destination.
The project, called ‘Royal Elm Park’ would see more than 600 apartments, an ice rink, a convention centre and more built.
Closer to the town centre, a plan could be decided to replace defunct offices with 570 apartments south of the River Thames.
There are other places where hundreds of flats could be built as well, but any proposed development requires approval from Reading Borough Council to go ahead.
Developers also have the right to appeal against the refusal of a project to the government’s planning inspectorate.
So read on to find out some of the developments that could be decided this year.
If plans have been submitted, they can be found by typing in the application reference number in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Royal Elm Park (PL/25/0837)
Plans have been in the pipeline for years to transform the land surrounding the Reading FC stadium into a place to live.
Last year, the ‘design code’ for the ongoing development was approved by the council.
This code acts as a framework to guide the future development of Royal Elm Park.
Plans for the project were approved back in 2018, which involved outline plans for 422 apartments, and detailed plans for 196 apartments, a 246-bedroom hotel and up to 102 serviced apartments.
Plan for 570 apartments to replace Napier Court (PL/24/0846 and PL/24/1173)
This project would see the three offices that make up Napier Court demolished to make way for a row of residential tower blocks.
The development would provide 570 apartments, with the tallest of the towers reaching 11 storeys.
Notably, the plans state that 33 car parking spaces and six motorbike spaces would be provided, with the expectation that the majority of future occupants will walk or cycle.
A new design and access statement laying out the parameters of the project was submitted by the applicants Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates last September.
Earlier, in July, the council approved the future demolition plan for three office buildings.
Waterfront Square (PL/24/0958)
Developers submitted plans to build 236 apartments just south of the River Thames.
The project involves the demolition of the Norman Place building, previously occupied by Covea Insurance, with a new multi-storey apartment block.
The plans were recently adjusted, reducing the housing provision from 254 to 236 apartments.
The project has been devised by Bridges Fund Management and build-to-rent housing provider Packaged Living, which is also involved in the plan for 436 flats at The Oracle.
That plan was due to be decided in December, but councillors delayed their verdict to go on a site visit.
Replacement of police headquarters with 260 flats
A project to replace the Reading police headquarters in Castle Street first emerged in 2023.
At the time, the development company S2 Estates launched a consultation website with sketches showing the headquarters replaced with one free-standing tower and four interconnected blocks containing flats.
Little has happened since then, as no official planning application appears to have been submitted.
But an application could be submitted soon, as Thames Valley Police began moving into Atlantic House this year, with the front desk in Castle Street closing in November.
S2 is also responsible for transforming the former Drews the Ironmongers site in Caversham Road to create 29 flats, and secured planning permission for the Bracknell Beeches development of 349 apartments south of Bracknell train station in 2022.
And one development that is not going ahead…
A plan submitted by the investment company Abrdn would have seen the big box stores that make up Forbury Retail Park replaced with 820 apartments.
The project would have involved the demolition of the row of stores containing Furniture Village, HomeSense and Bensons for Beds, and the separate KFC drive-thru to make way for 12 residential towers.
Plans were submitted in May 2023, but the application (reference PL/23/0822) officially expired due to inactivity in November.
