An office building in Reading, currently let to HMRC, may be turned into 85 studio flats under a new Permitted Development Rights (PDR) proposal.

Pegasus, on behalf of Mapledurham Properties, has submitted a prior approval notice to Reading Borough Council to convert the 1980s-built Sapphire Plaza in Watlington Street.

The 48,000 sq ft building has been used by HMRC since it opened in 1989.

The transport statement, drawn up by Peter Brett Associates (now part of Stantec), proposes 69 car parking spaces and 43 cycle parking spaces.

The submission by Pegasus concludes: “The new flats will provide a much-needed range of housing for first time buyers or downsizers in Reading in a highly accessible and sustainable location, which will be fitted out to a high specification in line with that submitted for the Council’s consideration.”

* Image: Google.

© Thames Valley Property No 193 (tvproperty.co.uk)