Plans to build 300 affordable homes in Reading have been awarded the Homebuilder of the Year award at the UK Housing Awards.

Reading Borough Council was the only council to make the shortlist, then going on to win beating six other contenders including construction companies and housing associations.

The homes will be built over four years and cost £80m and include provisions for adult social care and sheltered housing.

The judges said: “Reading were clear winners for this award, with the council’s development plans ticking all boxes for the judges.

“Not only does it have ambitious development goals for the next five years, it is clear about how they will do this sustainably, and while engaging with and including the communities where the homes are being built.

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“The judges were also impressed with the range of properties the council was delivering, with their projects aiming to provide much needed homes for a broad cross-section of society, from supported housing to housing for the key workers that have served us so well throughout the pandemic.”

The news comes after 40 rough sleepers began moving into temporary ‘pods’ last Monday (November 22).

Councillor for housing Ellie Emberson, who collected the award, said: “I’m immensely proud of the dedication and ethos of our Housing team to ensure our homebuilding is high quality and environmentally sustainable, with a commitment to serve the wider Reading community in helping those who need to access affordable housing such as those in adult social care, expanding families and key workers.”