Former Drews Ironmongers could be demolished and replaced with flats

The former home of a Reading institution could be knocked down and replaced with a housing development.

S2 Developments, which owns the former home of Drews the Ironmongers in Caversham Road, put its plans for the site on show in Reading on Wednesday, July 24.

Official plans have yet to be submitted, but the developer is likely to submit a plan for a block containing 44 new flats.

The designs on show at the exhibition at Greyfriars Church in Reading town centre showed some of the elevations on the flats would have garden areas.

The development will be known as The Brewery.

The developer had wanted to build a block of 57 flats, but that has been scaled down after discussions with Reading Borough Council.

The current breakdown of the flats is 18 one-bedroom units, 23 two -bedrooms and three three-bedrooms.  The number of affordable units is not yet known.

If permitted, the development could sit opposite the huge proposed Reading Metropolitan development.

Designs were revealed for the 650-home development in November and plans have been submitted to the council.

The development is planned for the former Royal Mail depot in Reading, Berkshire, which has been empty for many years.

Another plan nearby is the 240 home plan for the former home of SSE in Vastern Road, Reading, from Berkley Homes.

The Thames Quarter development in Napier Road,  containing  315 homes, which has got planning permission, is also well underway.