HEIGHT changes for the site of hundreds of flats to be built as part of a massive homes plan at The Oracle in Reading have been put forward.

A project has been afoot to add hundreds of apartments at the eastern section of The Oracle shopping centre for years, with planning applications appearing early last year.

Now shopping centre operators Hammerson have submitted revised plans for the towers it wants to build.

The project would see the towers added to the Vue Cinema and restaurants building south of the River Kennet, and the former Debenhams department store north of the river.

New designs show the height of the apartments south of the river reduced by two storeys, with one storey being added to a flats block at Yield Hall Place.

Reading Chronicle: Height revisions for the proposal to add apartments to the eastern section of The Oracle in Reading. Credit: HammersonHeight revisions for the proposal to add apartments to the eastern section of The Oracle in Reading. Credit: Hammerson (Image: Hammerson)

The total amount of apartments envisaged has been reduced from 449 to 436, with Hammerson stating that the changes allow it to increase the number of three-bedroom properties from 12 to 22, allegedly 'in response to market demand'.

This investment would upgrade the existing retail and leisure offer, by replacing the former Debenhams department store and providing modern retail and entertainment amenities to ensure that The Oracle remains relevant with a new diversified offer.

All of the changes can be found on Hammerson's 'The Oracle consultation' website.

Reading Chronicle: A revised CGI for what apartment towers added to The Oracle in Reading could look like if built. Two storeys have been shaven off towers to the south of the river, with one storey being added at a block to the north.A revised CGI for what apartment towers added to The Oracle in Reading could look like if built. Two storeys have been shaven off towers to the south of the river, with one storey being added at a block to the north. (Image: Hammerson)

An author of one of the sections of the website stressed that the centre will still be shopping, leisure and dining focused.

They said: "This investment would upgrade the existing retail and leisure offer, by replacing the former Debenhams department store and providing modern retail and entertainment amenities to ensure that The Oracle remains relevant with a new diversified offer.

"Retail will remain at the destination’s heart, alongside new commercial and entertainment uses, to ensure a contemporary leisure offer that both engages and excites visitors along the riverside.

"The proposals would reconfigure the existing Vue Cinema to ensure it provides a high-quality film experience for its customers."

Nevertheless, the project will bring living accommodation to The Oracle site for the first time.

Hammerson has partnered with the company Packaged Living to deliver the apartments as part of the transformation project.

READ MORE: Packaged Living selected to deliver hundreds of flats to replace Reading riverside offices 

All of these apartments will be 'build-to-rent' meaning no one will have the opportunity to fully own the place they will occupy.

The project has been divided into two planning applications which can be found using reference numbers on the council's planning website.

The plan south of the river can be viewed using reference 221917, and the plan north of the river can be viewed using reference 221916.

The exact amount of apartments delivered within each scheme has not been made official, as revised planning documents have not appeared on the council's planning website yet.