John Lewis Partnership’s (JLP) £80 million plans for Build-to-Rent homes in Reading have been submitted to the council.
JLP plans to redevelop its former distribution warehouse off Mill Lane into 215 energy-efficient flats with 6,000 sq ft of amenity space which will include two gardens.
The development, a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats, will have 10 per cent proportion of affordable homes and be car-free apart from accessible spaces.
JLP says it aims to prioritise residents already living and working in Reading. The scheme is one of three JLP is pursuing, using its own land. One for flats next to Bromley South station was approved by councillors in July while another application in West Ealing is still being worked on.
Katherine Russell, director of Build-to-Rent for the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We have worked closely with Reading Council’s planning officers, local residents and organisations to propose a scheme that will benefit residents and the wider community by transforming a disused industrial site into a thriving rental community.
“By revitalising brownfield land we have a fantastic opportunity to provide a significant number of homes which can help alleviate some of the growing pressure on Reading’s housing market.
“These will be homes not only developed by us, but managed by us, meaning we can offer quality service and a guarantee that homes will not be sold off, as so often happens in the rental market.”
The partnership hopes to gain consent in early 2025, start construction in early 2026 and move the first residents in during 2028. If that timescale is achieved, the Reading site will be the first of the three to open to tenants.
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