218 homes and cinema at Existing Vue Cinema Complex Land West of Yield Hall Place / London Road The Oracle Reading

“PL/22/1917/FUL - Mixed use development comprising demolition of existing buildings and erection of new building comprising up to 218no. build-to-rent residential dwellings (Class C3) & up to 3,046 sqm commercial floorspace comprising cinema (Sui Generis) and ground floor commercial uses within Use Class E and/or Bar (Sui Generis Use).”

“Title PLANNING APPLICATIONS REPORT Ward Abbey Planning Application Reference: PL/22/1916/FUL & PL/22/1917/FUL Site Address: PL/22/1916/FUL – Former Debenhams Department Store, west of Yield Hall Place (‘Yield Hall Place 1’), The Oracle, Reading, RG2 2AG PL/22/1917/FUL – Existing Vue cinema complex west of Yield Hall Place/London Road (‘Yield Hall Place 2’), The Oracle, Reading, RG2 2AG Proposed Development PL/22/1916/FUL - Mixed use development comprising part demolition of…”

“Introduction 1.1 Both the above applications for full planning permission were deferred at 3 rd December 2025 Planning Applications Committee to allow an accompanied member site visit to take place to both sites. The site visit was intended to take place on 18 th December 2025 however a number of Councillors were unable attend on that date and instead the site visit took place on Thursday 22 nd January 2026.”

“December PAC: - The appearance of the proposed development is hideous and ugly - The owners of The Oracle should not inflict this on Reading. Responses to Councillors’ Points Build to Rent (BtR) Accommodation 1.1 At the 3 rd December meeting the 20 year minimum term to provide the proposed dwellings as BtR accommodation outlined with the s106 Heads of Terms for both applications was queried, as well as what would happen to the dwellings after the 20 year minimum term and…”

“(5) That the Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection Services be authorised to grant planning permission for application PL/22/1917 (FUL), subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement by 31 March 2026 (unless a later date be agreed by the Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the 3 December 2025 original report, as amended by the 3 December 2025 update report,…”

“(6) That the Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Public Protection Services be authorised to make such minor changes to the conditions, Heads of Terms and details of the legal agreement as may reasonably be required to issue the permission;”

“(8) That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended in the 3 December 2025 original report, as amended by the 3 December 2025 update report, with an additional informative recommending the provision of defibrillator equipment within public spaces.”