Decision due on major Reading development

Plans for the comprehensive redevelopment of a site near Reading Railway Station – which would see hundreds of apartments and a host of office space brought forward – could soon take an important step forward.Hermes Property Unit Trust is behind the application, which is earmarked for the location of the town’s former Royal Mail sorting office and distribution centre.Previously, the site had been a goods yard with sidings for the adjacent railway line and station since the 19th century. The existing site buildings date from the 1980s, but Royal Mail ceased use of the area after transferring its sorting office function to the Swindon Mail Centre in 2009.The plans for the plot have been subject to numerous changes since the original application submission.In outline form, they currently propose buildings ranging from two to 24 storeys in height, providing 620 residential units, office space, a restaurant, a community centre, a health centre and parking.The apartments would comprise 72 studios, 196 one-beds, 320 two-beds and 32 three-beds.Building A would be the tallest at 24 storeys, with buildings B, C and D at 16, eight and 12 floors respectively.Buildings E and F would sit at 11 storeys, with buildings G and H at eight storeys. Finally, Building J would be seven levels.The applicant has identified a range of benefits during the construction phase, such as direct job creation and trickle-down effects through the extended supply chain.The application is set to go before the committee on 30 March, with a recommendation for approval subject to a S106 agreement being struck.