PLANS to redevelop an empty 20-acre site with a major commercial, retail and residential scheme are set to be submitted later this month.

Kier Property wants to build shops, car showrooms, a hotel, up to 200 new homes and restaurants in the Reading Gateway site.

The site, near to M4 J11, has been vacant since 2006, when Hewlett Packard moved its UK headquarters to Bracknell.

Kier will ask for detailed planning permission for the redevelopment of the south-western section of the site and outline planning permission for the north-eastern section.

Ioan Rees, development manager. said the application will be submitted to Reading Borough Council this month, and the firm are hoping for works to start early next year.

Mr Reese said: "Having worked closely with Reading Borough Council we believe our proposed redevelopment for retail, hotel, car showroom, trade counter/light industrial and residential uses will see this strategic site transformed into a desirable mixed-use location, providing much-needed housing and creating local jobs."

Haslams and Lambert Smith Hampton are agents for the scheme.