Residents oppose retail park in Reading demolition for flats

Reading Link Retail Park has stood for decades and is currently occupied by Matalan, Home Bargains, a Starbucks drive-thru and other retailers.

Sorbon Estates, the company that owns the site, has suggested that it could be turned into a place for 150-220 new homes as part of Reading Borough Council's Local Plan partial update.

But concerns have been raised about the affordability of any new homes and the suitability of the site for housing, as it is situated near the Coley water meadows and the Holy Brook.

James Busby said: "More overpriced houses near a floodplain with the road works and awful traffic already.....what could possibly go wrong?

Agreeing, Karen Shenton said: "We need to make housing affordable for the 20-year-olds and upwards. They have no chance at the minute."

READ MORE: Update for JD Gym coming to Reading Link Retail Park 

Common complaints about the amount of planned-for apartments being submitted were echoed.

Sabrina Tandy said:  "Reading doesn't need any more bloody flats, If they need to make homes then make them for Social Housing as there is a need for family homes, especially three bedrooms or more."

There was also concern about the loss of retail space and impact on crucial services.

Aliće Saião said: "I really don’t understand who all these unaffordable homes are for!! Literally getting rid of so many shopping lots for home and developments. And will they add schools and doctors surgeries to the ratio?

Rachael Cunnett pondered: "How many will be affordable housing though? Most of Reading's offerings are so overpriced that only people from London can afford."

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Concerns about the affordability of the development were shared by councillor Paul Gittings, who represents the area.

Cllr Gittings (Labour, Coley) said: “We do need housing, we particularly need affordable housing, if there is any housing that is given permission there, we would like to see a sizeable portion of social and affordable housing.

“If there were any negative effects on Coley Meadows and the flood plain we would be vehemently opposed to that development, but until any plans come forward it's difficult to comment.

“The two lines in the sand are A) that there should be a good portion of social housing and if possible a good range of larger family houses in any development and B) that we couldn’t support anything that impacts the habitat and flooding when similar developments in the area being rejected because of that.”

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Cllr Gittings referred to plans for homes in the area that were torpedoed in 2009 out of concerns about flooding and environmental impacts.

He said: “We would want a good proportion of social housing, but anything adverse on the habitat of Coley meadows or that would cause flood issues would not meet our requirements.”

The retail park is being considered to be allocated for development in the Local Plan partial update.

Planning officers are currently considering changes ahead of its submission for approval by the government.