Plans that will transform the skyline in Reading with more than 1,000 flats have been given the go-ahead this year.
The Broad Street Mall is set to be changed forever as a project to add four towers containing 643 apartments to the rear of the site was given the go-ahead.
Meanwhile, the first-ever ‘co-living’ apartment tower was also approved, and John Lewis will become a landlord for the first time with its project for more than 150 flats receiving permission.
These projects were approved at Reading Borough Council planning applications committee meetings this year.
Over in Friar Street, a project to replace the Cosmo restaurant with more than 100 flats cleared a crucial planning hurdle.
See some of the biggest developments that were decided by the council this year – and one that wasn’t – below.
You can view each application by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Broad Street Mall ( PL/24/0173)
Plans have been in the works for years to add hundreds of flats to the Broad Street Mall.
An initial project for 422 flats and a hotel even got across the line in 2021, under previous owners Moorgarth.
Then, the mall was sold to AEW in June 2022, and safety rules requiring tall buildings to have two staircases were introduced in March 2024.
The project was therefore adjusted to create 643 apartments in four towers to the rear of the mall, requiring the partial demolition of the existing building.
Councillors approved the development on April 30.
Greyfriars House (PL/24/1501)
A plan to demolish Greyfriars House, the former probation office in the town centre, and replace it with 266 ‘co-living’ flats was approved this year.
These flats will be contained in a 13-storey building in Greyfriars Road.
The co-living concept gives residents their own private rooms and bathrooms, but with shared kitchens, living areas, and other amenities, including a gym, workspace, a games room and laundry facilities.
It has been billed as a cheaper alternative to private rental accommodation.
While no affordable housing will be provided in the building, the applicant Elder Developments has agreed to pay £3.566 million to the council in instalments to fund affordable housing elsewhere in the town.
The novel development was given the go-ahead by councillors on April 2.
John Lewis customer collection centre (PL/24/1155)
The John Lewis customer collection centre is set to be replaced with a building containing 170 flats following approval from councillors this year.
The project involves the demolition of the defunct building in Crossland Road to make way for an eight-storey building.
The flats will be managed by John Lewis and will be for rent only, with 27 apartments being made available at affordable rent levels.
Homes in the building were scaled back from 215 flats to 170 flats that were approved by councillors on October 8.
Accounting for the three developments mentioned, a total of 1,079 flats were given approval by councillors this year.
Cosmo replacement (PL/22/0933)
The building that contains the Cosmo global buffet in Friar Street will be replaced with a new tower containing 103 flats.
The project also involves the demolition of the neighbouring townhouse that was previously occupied by the 9Round Boxing Gym and the re-provision of a restaurant to replace Cosmo.
Councillors approved the development at a meeting in September 2024, subject to the applicant, the Shaviram Group, entering into a section 106 legal agreement with the council.
That agreement was signed on November 19.
Details include the provision of 33 affordable flats, and payments of £26,804.75 for an employment and skills plan (ESP) contribution, and £1,800 towards carbon offsetting in the town.
And one development that was not decided…
A plan to create 436 apartments at The Oracle was meant to be decided at a council planning meeting on December 8.
The project would see the Vue cinema building completely demolished and replaced with three towers containing 218 apartments, a new cinema and a restaurant unit.
On the other side of the River Kennet, the former Debenhams store would be partially demolished to make way for two towers, also containing 218 apartments, a leisure unit, co-working space and a restaurant.
However, councillors chose to defer the decision to conduct an accompanied site visit with planning officers.
A verdict on the project is now expected to be made in January or February next year.
