Proposals have been published which could see offices to the east of Reading town centre and a neighbouring block of flats replaced with up to 450 homes.
In one of the Regulation 19 submissions to the Reading Local Plan partial update, Mapledurham Properties has submitted a potential scheme which would involve the former HMRC offices at Sapphire Plaza and Royal Court, a neighbouring block of 35 flats, being replaced with both co-living and Build-to-Rent homes.
The site is bounded by Watlington Street, the River Kennet, King’s Road and Kennet Street. Google image below shows the octagonal Sapphire Plaza with Royal Court to the left.
The developer’s proposals state the scheme could have between 320 and 450 flats. However, a technical note included in the scheme by Stantec states the current concept scheme is for 338 – comprising 216 co-living units (the taller building in the image) and 122 Build-to-Rent. There would be commercial provision on the ground floor.
The concept Build-to-Rent homes would include flats of one, two and three bedrooms. with external, private amenity space while the co-living homes would be mostly standard size units with some additional larger units.
Shared internal amenity spaces in the co-living block could include lounges and dining spaces, co-working, a gym and wellness suite, bar and cinema.
The submission is another found in the Local Plan Partial Update by the Reading-on-Thames blog which first uncovered the 1,200-home scheme being drawn up on the border of Caversham and Emmer Green.
The project details are contained within a 634-page document on the Reading Borough Council Local Plan Partial Update.
© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.
