PLANS to demolish historic University of Reading halls have been postponed following public pressure.
St Patrick’s Hall on Northcourt Avenue is one of the university’s oldest accommodation blocks, having been founded in 1908 by R.L Pearson as a private hostel and rebuilt in 1913.
In the First World War the building housed the Royal Flying Corps and author of the Biggles books, William Earl Johns, who is thought to have based the plucky pilot on his experience at St Patrick’s.
Less than a week before redevelopment plans were due to be publicly exhibited and following public pressure spearheaded by the Victorian Society, the university announced full demolition would not go ahead.
A university spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, the planned public exhibition for the redevelopment of St Patrick’s Hall that was scheduled for Wednesday January 11 has been postponed.
“The university and its long-term partner, University Partnerships Programme, are still finalising the proposed plans for the site and we look forward to presenting the updated plans when they are ready.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.
“As soon as we have more information about the proposed plans we will let people know.”
Tonight's public exhibition of redevelopment plans for St Patrick's Hall has been postponed. Disappointing for those concerned by proposals.
— Rob Wilson MP (@RobWilson_RDG) January 11, 2017
At the heart of the building complex is Pearson Court, a grand, neo-Georgian quad, which the university has announced will not be demolished.
Although it is unclear which parts of St Patrick’s will be saved when the university moves ahead with revised plans for build new student accommodation, Reading East MP Rob Wilson welcomed the news.
He said: “Having actively campaigned against the proposed demolition of Pearson Court, I was delighted to learn that the University of Reading has listened to feedback and will be amending its plans as a consequence.”
“When I first learnt about the University’s plans in late 2015, my position was clear, to press ahead with the wholesale redevelopment of the historic façade and quadrangle would have been a serious and irreversible misjudgement.”
It is unknown when the new plans will be published.
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