Station Hill’s next residential phase sees approval

Proposals for the next phase at Station Hill, which will provide a further 600 high-quality private and affordable homes alongside active retail and leisure uses, have been granted planning permission by Reading Borough Council (RBC).

Brought forward by Lincoln MGT, the joint venture between Lincoln Property Company and MGT Investment Management and developer of the wider Station Hill estate, the consented proposal will also provide an extension of the public realm known as Station Hill Gardens as its focus.

This will expand the existing landscaped public spaces at Station Hill Square and Friars Walk and create a new east/west pedestrianised route from Greyfriars Road to Garrard Street, linking the station and town and helping to further strengthen connections and support cultural programming for the area.

The residential offer has been designed as part of the wider Station Hill experience, framing new streets while responding to Reading’s distinctive character and material heritage.

The homes offer shared amenities including lounges, co-working spaces, wellness facilities and roof terraces to encourage social interaction and support modern ways of working and living.

A public consultation on the proposals was undertaken during the second half of 2025, including an exhibition at ONE Station Hill which ran between 7 and 24 November and attracted strong interest from the local community in Reading and across the wider Thames Valley region.

The new scheme – designed by Gensler – includes the following features:

• A proportion of affordable homes which are providing a range of unit sizes
• A range of communal spaces
• Over 320 cycle spaces

Comments

John Badman, residential leader Europe at Gensler, said: “The approval of Phase 3A is a pivotal moment for Station Hill and a fantastic achievement for our team. Building on the success of ONE Station Hill, our BCO award-winning workplace, we’ve focused on how great design can have a real and lasting impact on the experience of a place and the people who use it every day.

“Drawing inspiration from Reading’s rich tradition of brick architecture, the design creates a contemporary new neighbourhood where architecture, landscape, community and public life come together. We’re incredibly proud to be playing our collective part in shaping Station Hill as the gateway to Reading.”

Alex Aitchison, UK managing director at Lincoln Property Company, and on behalf of the Lincoln MGT JV, said: “The team are delighted Reading Borough Council has recognised the importance of the continued redevelopment of the Station Hill area by granting permission on our next key stage of our proposals.

“Station Hill is already a thriving neighbourhood which is making a valuable contribution to the economy of Reading and the wider region.

“The scheme creates hundreds of private and affordable new homes for people in the area as well as delivering a range of additional amenities and enhanced public realm. Station Hill is the front door to Reading and is setting a new benchmark for the Reading and the wider Thames Valley as one of the UK’s fastest growing urban centres in recent years.”

Image: Bloomimages