600 flats and commercial space at Station Hill, Reading

“The entire Station Hill site is approximately 2.56 hectares and lies between the railway station in the north and Friar Street to the south. The site is split into three development phases. Phase 1 lies between Friar Street and Garrard Street now occupied by a residential-led scheme of 598 flats on Plots E and F, known as ‘Ebb’ and ‘Flow’.”

“The current Reserved Matters application relates to Plots A, B and D of the Phase 3 site, currently occupied by the Xafinity House office building which fronts Greyfriars Road and which is now used as a site office for construction work on site. The remainder of the site is currently given over to temporary surface car parking to serve the Phase 2 office development…”

“The heights of buildings within the plot are approved under the Outline permission 192032 with minimum and maximum heights above sea level. Plot C does not form part of the current reserved matters application but is an important part of the context. Plot C is the tallest proposed at a height of up to 163m AOD (minimum 81m AOD).”

“The current proposals involve a separate tower to Plot D with an area of public realm between Plot B and Plot D. This is made possible by a non-material amendment to the plot layout (25/1609) and was not previously the case as the original permission allowed the three blocks to join in an L-shape with a pedestrian walkway tunnel linking to Greyfriars Road.”

“Policy CR10a states that “Tall buildings should... Contribute to the creation of a coherent, attractive and sustainable cluster of buildings with a high quality of public realm... and Policy CR10 “v) In addition to the area-specific requirements, all tall building proposals should be of excellent design and architectural quality, and should: • Enhance Reading’s skyline, through a distinctive profile and careful design of the upper and middle sections of the building; • …”

“Overall the proposals are considered to result in a high-quality public realm which will provide good quality areas of open space to serve future residents of the development, and which would provide an appropriate setting to the buildings, including future Plot C. This is a benefit in itself.”

“Ten site notices were displayed around the perimeter of the site. One letter of support has been received from the occupier of 3 Friars Walk…”

“I wish to provide a comment in support of the proposed Station Hill development. I believe this development will improve the attractiveness of Reading town centre, provide more housing and drive significant local economic and social benefits.”

“The Committee considered a report on the above Reserved Matters application. Comments received from the Council’s Development Control Manager, submitted on behalf of the Highway Authority, were appended to the report at Appendix 1, comments from Active Travel England were appended at Appendix 2 and a selection of submitted drawings was appended at Appendix 3.”

“An update report was tabled at the meeting which included updated drawings showing street trees, street furniture and landscaping. The update report also set out further comments received from the Council's Transport Development Control Manager on behalf of the Highway Authority, together with Planning Officers' responses to those comments.”

“(1) That the Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection be authorised to grant reserved matters approval for the reserved matters of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, subject to the satisfactory completion of a Deed of Variation to vary the existing Section 106 legal agreement in respect of permission 192032 by 2 December 2026 (or such later date as may be agreed by the Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection Services in writing) as…”

“(2) That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection be authorised to refuse reserved matters approval;”