Councillors have approved plans for 643 Build-to-Rent homes at the rear of Reading’s Broad Street Mall.
The council’s planning applications committee voted to approve McLaren Living’s plans for four towers on the southern side of the mall on April 30 after a deferral on April 2.
Councillors had been unhappy with the affordable homes proportion and the lack of play areas and public realm.
However, officers negotiated with the applicant to get 15 further affordable homes, taking the proportion from 10.1 per cent to 12.44, and agree to focus some of the £6.3 million in CIL contributions the scheme will generate, to public realm in Queens Walk and Dusseldorf Way, rather than more distant areas of the town centre.
Amendments were made to the proposed disabled parking arrangements and EV charging provision over which councillors had previously raised concerns.
Speaking at the April 30 meeting, Cllr John Ennis said: “This will transform that area of Central Reading.
“The future is building up. We can’t build out, we have to build up. The 18 per cent overcrowding is something we have to address.
“It’s a brownfield site and it’s really good that we are working with our partners and others on this development and potentially others to build quality housing, because that’s what it is, it’s quality accommodation.”
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