broad street mall

Council’s Town Centre Strategy Presented

Reading-On-Thames, , , , 1 Comment

I’ve had a few messages asking why no articles lately. In truth, many of the major regeneration schemes are on the back-burner at present limiting my content, so I’ve written something of a lament on the state of affairs. But in fairness, a few things have moved forward, and the council issued a new town centre strategy a couple of months back, so let’s be positive and lead with that even if it’s old news (it was barely covered). They published two new documents: a vision and high level plan. There’s some positive ideas and intent there, let’s take a look… But first you’ll have to endure that lament…

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Council’s Town Centre Strategy Presented

Autumn Town Centre Update

Reading-On-Thames, , 11 Comments

It’s a good while since my last round-up post, so read on below for a quick rundown of Reading Town Centre news. As usual there’s plenty going on…

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Autumn Town Centre Update

Reading regeneration schemes – Spring Update

Reading-On-Thames, , 5 Comments
Domain Reading apartment scheme under construction

As the days lengthen and mercury starts to climb, life is springing out of the ground. Although this year, as far as Reading’s major construction projects go, we have some cases of delayed germination. Right now, there’s only one crane following the sun around the town centre sky, despite no end of seeds planted. Let’s take a look at what’s going on…

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Reading regeneration schemes – Spring Update

Town Centre Improvement Proposals – Do they hit the target?

Reading-On-Thames, , , 20 Comments
Reading Minster artists impression

A new strategy has been published by the council that looks at how best to enhance the town centre environment. The plans involve resurfacing pedestrian areas, reallocation of road space, and considerable landscaping proposals. It’s a creative-heavy document covering a design strategy, rather than specific funded and timetabled works, and it will go to a consultation initially. I’ve pulled out some of the imagery and details below.

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Town Centre Improvement Proposals – Do they hit the target?

Should we be anti new flats? Taking apart the argument

Reading-On-Thames, , , , , , , , 23 Comments

The latest flurry of development news in Reading has focussed on new apartment schemes. It prompts constant debate, so it feels like a good time to make the case, perhaps controversially to some, that this is the right direction of travel for the town.

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Should we be anti new flats? Taking apart the argument

Broad St Mall plans submitted

Reading-On-Thames, , , 14 Comments
BSM Towers CGI

Plans have been submitted by McLaren Living for a residential-led regeneration of the Broad Street Mall. It’s now over five years since previous owner Moorgarth submitted similar plans, and 7 months since I wrote up the planning exhibition ahead of this new submission. That more recent design has been revised somewhat, but to avoid confusion with multiple comparisons to different plans, let’s just take a look at these final proposals (also available on their consultation website and display boards upstairs in the mall).

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Broad St Mall plans submitted

Reading’s Re-purposeful Replanning

Reading-On-Thames, , , 31 Comments
Grid of four aerial photos of sites listed for redevelopment

Since my last round-up article, there are two updates of particular note. Of more popular interest, news on the Oracle has emerged, and perhaps of wider consequence, a new update to the council’s longer-term local plan is out for consultation. The link between the two is a prevailing direction of repurposing land from retail and office to residential and leisure.

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Reading’s Re-purposeful Replanning

Broad Street Mall Plans Resurface

Reading-On-Thames11 Comments
broad street mall towers 2023 proposal

New plans have emerged for the Broad Street Mall from latest owner AEW and their development partner McLaren Living. Proposals were exhibited earlier today in the mall, and you have a second chance to speak to the team on Wednesday 19th July between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, in the unit opposite Poundland (former New Look). I called in earlier and I can run you through the scheme, which is also presented on the consultation website.

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Broad Street Mall Plans Resurface

Friar Street – Finding the Way Forward

Reading-On-Thames, , , 1 Comment

Recent months have seen a flurry of new and altered plans for developments along Friar Street, as well as construction continuing on the new Friars Walk. Let’s take a look through the progress, and the context of how this street fits within the evolving story of Reading Town Centre.

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Friar Street – Finding the Way Forward

What’s new for 2022…

Reading-On-Thames, , 4 Comments
Huntley Wharf construction viewed from Forbury Gardens

Houses, hotels, a jail, a station, an electric works… as we pass Go for another lap round the board, here’s a roundup of where we are with the main projects in Reading, and who’s winning.

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What’s new for 2022…