Changes to Hermes’ plans for homes and offices north of Reading station have failed to impress a nearby residents’ group which will continue to oppose the scheme.
The Reading Metropolitan scheme, drawn up by tp bennett, which involves redeveloping the former Royal Mail site in Caversham Road, has been through a revision in which:
- The number of homes proposed has been reduced from 658 to 620
- The tallest tower, reduced to 24 floors
- The previously suggested 97 affordable homes removed entirely
- The amount of office space is increased from 16,604 sq m to 19,730 sq m.
The changes also involve Building A (the tallest) changing from being office to residential and the adjoining Building C, changing from residential to office.
But Bell Tower Community Association has published a response on its website, stating: “The Bell Tower Community Association has always had serious concerns about the proposals for this site, and while a small decrease in height of the tallest tower is welcome (although we believe it is still too tall), in our view most of the updated proposals do not represent an improvement.”
Image shows the original plan. Under the revised scheme, the nearest building (Building A) was proposed to be offices and is now going to be residential while the adjoining, proposed residential block, will now be offices.
© Thames Tap No 220 (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
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Reading is on the cusp of becoming the great town to which it has aspired !
With the developments around the station there does not need to be so concerned about “tall” buildings.
As a retired architect designing and implementing buildings up to 45 storeys I would support the Hermes development.
According to recent research completed by Haslams Estate Agents, the Reading CBD is in the process of becoming the tall building’s capital of the Thames Valley! Many are designed to be residential or mixed use which could be a good idea given the current malaise in the office market as the effects of COVID-19 seep into this sector. We will continue to watch and report on Reading becoming a great place to live, work, and play.
Really don’t understand people’s apprehension towards tall buildings. Let’s be honest, the tallest in Reading is about 78 metres which is hardly a true skyscraper!
Most of the alleged ‘tall’ buildings are little more than mid level buildings so let’s have some common sense here and allow a couple at least to top the 100 metre mark.
This in turn will enhance the appearance of the shorter mid level blocks.