IKEA store expected to get go ahead

Laura Routledge • Published 3 Apr 2012 09:30 4 Comments

LONG AWAITED plans for a multi million pound IKEA superstore in Calcot are expected to get the go ahead tomorrow night.

The controversial proposal to replace derelict buildings at Pincents Lane Retail Park with the £10m development is anticipated to get the green light from planning bosses at a meeting at Theale Green Community School from 6.30pm.

But the planning officer will be under strict instructions to tear up the agreement if IKEA does not complete a legal agreement by August.

The recommendation to West Berkshire Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee comes despite more than 200 letters of objection, and motorists' grave concerns about the impact of traffic on already congested roads - despite IKEA's plans to invest £5m in traffic improvements.

Tempers flared at a public meeting last night, when neighbours came face to face with representatives from the Swedish retailer, which is famous for its flat-pack furniture.

Irene Wilson, who lives on the Beansheaf estate, said: "This is going to be an absolute disaster. The building is ugly and it is going to cause so many problems on our roads. It's appalling. The roads here are utterly inadequate and it's going to be a catastrophe."

The development will cover four hectares with the store sitting to the north of Pincents Lane and the 1,287-space car park and areas for buses and coaches on the opposite side. The two areas will be linked by an overhead walkway.

It will bring 400 new jobs to the area, and Roddy Woodhouse, 44, who lives in Garston Crescent, Calcot, said: "A company like IKEA wouldn't plan to come somewhere if they knew the congestion would be that bad, because customers wouldn't go back - and the jobs are great news for Reading."

Reading West MP, Alok Sharma, who organised the meeting, said: "People are keen for an IKEA and are pleased that there will be a number of new jobs. The big issue is traffic. People have heard from IKEA that they will make improvements to the roads, but they are sceptical.

"For me, the issue is that if this application is given approval and IKEA goes ahead, and then traffic in Pincents Lane becomes a problem, what happens then?

"That will be a key issue for me at the meeting."

For a full report of tomorrow's meeting go to www.readingchronicle.co.uk on Thursday.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 03 Apr 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  G O D
  Unregistered User
  Apr 3, 12:00
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  Good news for the jobless masses of the Calcot area. And bad news for the Calcot workshy. Smirk.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 15     No 0

• 

  oldshepherd
  14 posts
  Apr 4, 08:28
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  Jobs, jobs and more jobs ...it's a no brainer - NIMBYs? There are jobs going.
  
  Make sure that the traffic management is sensible.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 8     No 0

• 

  Ikeafan
  Unregistered User
  Apr 4, 18:21
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  What a fantastic thing to happen in Reading. Not only will it create hundreds of new job but also makes use of the area and eyesore left by the old buildings. What is the matter with the people of Reading, a great store like Ikea coming to Reading has be delayed by NIMBY's.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 0

• 

  Liker of jobs
  Unregistered User
  Apr 4, 23:06
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  Having worked for IKEA previously they value the local community, and more importantly the accessibility of their store. The stores themselves look no different to any other warehouse style retail outlet and with 400 odd new jobs coming into the local area what isn't there to like? Plus, with an IKEA in the area shoppers from surrounding areas will visit other areas such as the Oracle meaning more income for the local area.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 0

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