Dee Park regeneration plans approved

Alex Gore • Published 3 Dec 2009 17:00 0 Comments

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THE regeneration of Dee Park estate could begin early next year after councillors gave the multi-million pound proposals their seal of approval.

The director of the Dee Park Partnership (DPP), Charlie Stevens, told The Chronicle after last night's Reading Borough Council planning committee that the consortium behind the £140m rebuild was aiming to get the project underway by March.

The committee passed an outline planning application for the regeneration, which includes rebuilding Ranikhet Primary School, demolishing 376 flats and building 763 houses and flats. The project's first phase, which will see the Oak Tree pub and 43 flats demolished and 261 houses and flats built, was also approved.

Mr Stevens said: "I am very pleased. It is another great milestone towards making regeneration a reality. There are still a few hurdles to get over but I am very excited."

Councillors on all sides praised the proposals, which include job opportunities for people living in the area and follow 10 years of planning and consultation.

Ward councillor Peter Jones said regeneration will create better homes, particularly for elderly residents, and will bring a wider mix of people into the estate. He also promised to work hard to help people who may be adversely affected by the development, such as those who have to move house during construction.

He added: "The greatest advantage is that Dee Park and its residents will be better integrated into west Reading and the town as a whole than they are today."

Members also called for more consultation and information on construction details, including access roads and working hours, better dialogue between the project managers and police and for the developer to help fund a new school if the Ranikhet rebuild falls through.

Norma Sinclair , who chairs the residents' Community Regeneration Action Group, said: "We fully understand that a few people are concerned and do not what to leave their homes, we feel for these people yet the vast majority of people realise we have to move forward and things have to improve."

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