New lease of life nears for former golf club site

Revised plans for a major development at a former golf club site in Reading could soon move ahead.The course is no longer operating at the site having relocated to the Caversham. However, it still retains the same layout as before it closed.Records show a golf course has existed there for more than 100 years.An outline application was submitted in November to redevelop part of the site and breathe life into the area.Lined up is demolishing the clubhouse building and bringing forward up to 223 homes and public open space. The vehicular access to the site would be from Kidmore End Road.Included in the total would be 67 affordable properties, with 442 parking spaces proposed.The application is a revised version of a scheme knocked back in August 2021, with the key differences being a reduction in the overall number of homes from 257 and the omission of an on-site health centre. This has been replaced by a financial contribution to support improvements to existing healthcare provision at Emmer Green Surgery.A report drawn up ahead of Reading Council’s planning committee meeting on 2 March notes that the application “has been found to have overcome the previous reasons for refusal”.Approval has therefore been recommended.