Station and Station Hill schemes approved

Adam Hewitt • Published 23 Sep 2009 23:00 9 Comments

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New Station Hill design gets big thumbs-up

THE face of Reading town centre will be changed forever after two key votes tonight.

Sir John Madejski's Station Hill 2 scheme and a new entrance for the redeveloped Reading Station to the west of the Three Guineas pub were both approved by Reading Borough Council's planning committee.

Planning and transport leader Cllr Tony Page said: "The people of Reading in decades to come will be able to look back at this committee tonight - it's an even more important committee meeting than that which approved The Oracle."

The station entrance project has been criticised by architectural and heritage organisations because it means knocking down parts of a listed building, the single-storey former station buildings next to the Three Guineas pub.

But the committee, minus Lib Dem Kirsten Bayes who voted against, decided that the "overwhelming benefits" to Reading of the station scheme meant it was worth sacrificing the listed buildings.

Cllr Richard Stainthorp said the real loss was when the old eastern wing of the station was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the current concourse, and that getting rid of the western wing would actually help rebalance the "true" heritage building.

But the project can only go ahead if English Heritage drops its objections, since it does "not accept that the position of the footbridge is of itself justification for the demolition of this section of the listed building."

The Station Hill 2 scheme was also approved in outline, meaning parts of it will come back before the committee in the future. It slots in with the station redevelopment and will see huge swathes of unloved development in front of the station replaced by taller buildings set round a public square, including a shopping street leading to Friar Street.

On top of flats, offices and shops, it will also have a bowling alley and - crucially, councillors decided - a pub.

Cllr Isobel Ballsdon called the current Station Hill area "an embarrassment to the town" with its regeneration "long overdue".

Sir John was at the meeting, and celebrated after the unanimous 'yes' vote.

He told the Chronicle: "It's a fantastic scheme, and I'd like to thank everybody concerned for their hard work and diligence."

The station redevelopment and Station Hill 2 scheme will together mean more than £1bn of investment in Reading, which councillors said would cement its place as the regional economic hub and pave the way for city status.

But Reading East Lib Dem parliamentary hopeful Gareth Epps, who spoke as a member of the public against the application, said afterwards: "With this planning consent being granted, Reading is close to losing the opportunity for a proper transport interchange, certainly in my lifetime. It is a failure of strategic planning that Reading Borough Council was unable or unwilling to make sure this opportunity was provided. Had they done so, they would not only have made the station area better but reduced the risk of a Government call-in."

Cllr Page said the transport interchange plans had the full backing of Reading Buses and that having three different bus and taxi hubs surrounding the station was the best solution for passengers.

- Full story in next week's Reading Midweek.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Unregistered User
Sep 24, 00:44
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Here is an interesting point. The Chronicle writes "Sir John Madejski's Station Hill Development" and "Sir John was at the meeting and celebrated". So is the Chronicle stating that there is a connection between Sir John Madejski and Station Hill? The dumb man in the street would think so. Yet when Councillors were forced to declare any conflicts of interests, the Conservatives stated that Sir John provides and funds their offices here in Reading. Rewind. He pays for their offices, funds it and gives donations to HQ. Yet according to the Councillors (and allowed to pass by the administrators within the Council) it is OK for the Conservatives Councillors to be supported by Sir John in this case because it does not give rise to a prejudicial interest - meaning that they could vote the scheme in. They could vote because there is "no prejudicial interest" as they are discussing Sackville Properties. And who is Sackville Properties if not Sir John Madejski?

The BBC documentary on Sir John must have got it wrong - Fred Pugh - Councillor and Mayor did not mention that he was the best friend. Curiously as Mayor he is not allowed to be involved in political debate!! His role as Mayor is to remain neutral. He too voted.

But the most amusing moment came when the Head of Transport planning greeted Sir John with a great big hug and kiss. Now that is definitely not at arms length.

Can we have a fresh debate please? The arrangements are just a little too cosy for comfort.

I do not think Caversham residents have woken up to the near future when they will be overlooked from these edifices of ......(Please feel free to add your own descriptive)

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Joe Bloggs
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Sep 24, 10:25
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This is great news for the future of Reading

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Anonymous
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Sep 24, 11:13
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The BBC documentary was filmed over 3 years, so it could be one of three mayors.

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Unregistered User
Sep 24, 13:52
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The film was only edited before being shown and the voiceovers added at that stage.

Now here is more food for thought. What would happen now that outline planning permission has been granted if Sackville split up and sold the land in lots? I suggest besides a fast buck that this town will be well and truly sunk. I cannot imagine that happening can you?

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Councillor
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Sep 24, 15:25
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Hence the phasing strategy condition

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Megs
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Sep 25, 11:04
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Personally I think Reading Borough council are an embarrasment to the town.. just look at the filthy littered streets.. everywhere you go .. and as for this new station hill developement.. it will turn out like the chatham street fiasco.. wasn't we supposed too have a new swimming pool completed by 2006..and the IDR covered over with housing units on top.. give us a break .. "PLEASE" the only thing certain is the Community charge will increase next year.. FOR SURE !!!

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Megs
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Sep 25, 11:04
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Personally I think Reading Borough council are an embarrasment to the town.. just look at the filthy littered streets.. everywhere you go .. and as for this new station hill developement.. it will turn out like the chatham street fiasco.. wasn't we supposed too have a new swimming pool completed by 2006..and the IDR covered over with housing units on top.. give us a break .. "PLEASE" the only thing certain is the Community charge will increase next year.. FOR SURE !!!

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susie
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Sep 25, 11:14
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The council might have a role in clearing litter, megs - and it does help through the BID scheme - but in the end it's people to blame for dropping it. people should take responsibility.

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Clair Sinclair
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Apr 7, 13:50
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Hello

I am very concerned that the current single bus interchange with the station is going to become three interchanges. I travel into Reading from Caversham and I understand my new interchange is going to be the north west one. How do I get my shopping back through the station onto my bus? Why aren't the bus interchanges integrated. I am over 60 and will find this very difficult. It would seem the new plans are just for people commuting out of Reading

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