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Plans have emerged which could see nearly 1,000 homes built in a “primarily car free” development on a Reading retail park.
Aviva Investors has unveiled its vision for the Reading Station Shopping Park between Caversham Road and Vastern Road.
The company is working on an outline planning application which could see between 750 and 950 homes built on the site.
The site is the home of TGI Fridays, Aldi and Mothercare, but the long term plan is to demolish those units once their leases run out.
As well as homes, the development could also contain offices, a hotel, a gym and new retail units.
Other possible features include a pedestrian link to the River Thames, new community facilities and public open space.
The developer has held a number of meetings with people living nearby, businesses and community groups while planning the development and has launched a public consultation asking for feedback.
It is hoped planning permission would be given in March or April 2021, which could lead to work starting in 2021.
However, that is dependent on the leases of the existing shops and when they end.
Plans for car parking have not yet been revealed, but the developer has said it will be a “primarily car free” development, due to its proximity to the station.
If permitted, the site would sit next to another massive proposed development.
Hermes has submitted an application to Reading Borough Council to build 641 homes and 17 town houses on the former Royal Mail depot, which has yet to get permission.
Across the road, plans are set to be submitted for the former home of Drews the Ironmonger.
S2 Developments is likely to put in a plan for around 44 homes at the site in the near future.
On the other side of Vastern Road, is the former home of SSE, which is also earmarked for homes.
Plans for the empty site are imminent and plans revealed in May showed an application for around 240 homes is likely.
A spokeswoman for the retail park homes said: “Aviva Investors are proud to present our initial proposals for the proposed redevelopment of the Station Shopping Park.
“We have worked hard on developing these plans to help deliver the new Station Quarter vision, as outlined in the emerging Local Plan and Area Framework.
“We are looking forward to receiving feedback from the community on our proposals, which will be used to further shape our plans going forward.
“We will hold a final public exhibition in a couple of months to share our evolving plans, following feedback we receive from residents and stakeholders over the next few weeks
“Our final public exhibition will give the community another change to have their say on the scheme before an outline planning application is submitted prior to Christmas.”
A public exhibition was held on Wednesday, September 25, and people can also view the plans on Thursday, September 26.
Another public exhibition for the final proposals is also planned for late October/early November.
Anyone wanting to give feedback can email readingstationpark@bartonwillmore.co.uk
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