Garages behind the Oxford Road Lidl and McDonalds could be demolished, with 13 new flats built in their place.

Developer First Avenue Estates is seeking to demolish the garages on Western Elms Avenue and build 13 flats and an office, under new plans submitted to the council.

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The site is a mix of private garden space, garages and parking courts, which would all be demolished to make way for the development.

First Avenue Estates says the plan will provide “high-quality individually designed” homes which are in keeping with the surrounding area and sustainable.

And they say redevelopment of the site “would enhance an area known for longstanding anti-social behaviour, such as drug dealing/taking and prostitution”.

There would be six one-bed flats and seven two-bed flats in the apartment building.

Reading Chronicle: PICTURED: The garages behind McDonalds and LidlPICTURED: The garages behind McDonalds and Lidl

Three-bed family homes were not considered appropriate “due to the unsuitability of the site close to the Oxford Road and the limited opportunities to provide amenity space, owing to the high level of replacement parking required within the site”.

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Communal landscaped garden space would be provided at the side and back of the building but this will be a limited amount due to the need to replace lost parking spaces and the need to retain access rights to Lidl and the adjacent community garden.

Tenants would have either their own terrace or balcony, while there would also be a communal terrace.

The private parking spaces currently provided at the current parking court – described as “unsightly” by the developer – would be replaced elsewhere.