Progress on ambitious plans for 362 new affordable Council homes

Another 362 new affordable Council homes are on the way to be delivered – including 89 this year – as part of Reading Council’s ongoing commitment to creating more affordable homes in the town.

The Council’s ambition is to add to its own housing stock through new homes which can then be let at social rents to keep costs to tenants down, as a shortage of affordable homes remains a major issue in Reading with many residents priced out of the market.

Reading Borough Council has already delivered 421 new Council homes for residents as part of a major investment in affordable homes. 

A report going to a meeting of the Council’s Policy Committee next week outlines further progress on ambitious plans to add substantially to that tally.

They include three developments which are already in progress and remain on schedule to complete this financial year. They are:

• 42 new homes at Hexham Road, plus a day service for adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties
• 30 new homes at Dwyer Road, including flats specially designed for downsizers
• 17 new homes at Amethyst Lane and a new respite scheme

In addition to these 89 new homes, the report outlines how the Council’s housing stock will be strengthened further over the next three years by:

• 62 new homes in construction at Battle Street, where redevelopment of the former Central Pool site will provide 20 general needs homes along with 29 sheltered housing flats and 13 supported living flats and an older person’s day opportunities service
• 14 new homes planned in Southcote Lane, where redevelopment of the former Southcote Library site will provide 10 two-bedroom flats, 3 three-bedroom flats and a one-bedroom wheelchair accessible flat, subject to planning approval
• A further 190 new homes at Dee Park as phase 3 of the regeneration project, subject to planning approval. This will add to the 515 new homes this ongoing project has delivered in partnership in the first two phases.

The Council’s active acquisitions programme - which in August saw 16 new homes acquired from Bellway Homes in Watchman’s Place - is also expected to deliver at least 37 more homes by 2029.

Regeneration of existing Council stock is also planned by the Council to ensure as many of its tenants as possible are able to share in the expansion and improvements to its homes.

A regeneration project at Wensley Road has already seen 46 new homes opened in January for existing tenants on the estate, and the three tower blocks are set for a range of improvements including new exterior insulation, new windows for all homes and improved entrance halls and landscaping – all part of the Council’s joined-up approach to ensuring all residents are sharing in enhancements to the estate.

The Council is also working to create a new permanent Whitley Wood Community Centre. Whilst a popular and well-used temporary building has been in use since 2024 after structural issues were identified with the previous centre, plans for a new permanent Community Centre have moved a step closer with a preferred site identified from a shortlist of five. A planning application and appointment of a contractor is set to be considered this summer.

Matt Yeo, Lead Councillor for Housing at Reading Borough Council, said:

“Increasing the number of Council homes in Reading is a major priority for this Council.

I’m sure residents will be as pleased as I am with this latest update, which shows how busy and active we are in this key area.

“It is really exciting that we’re getting closer to providing 89 new affordable homes to Reading residents through the developments at Hexham Road, Dwyer Road and Amethyst Lane. I’m also delighted that the high levels of activity will continue at Battle Street, Southcote Lane and Dee Park, where the first two phases of regeneration have made such a difference in giving local residents access to the higher standards of housing that they deserve.

“I have no doubt that phase 3 will prove just as valuable to those who live there, and am pleased that our commitment to Reading’s communities is going above and beyond housing and taking in a more rounded approach to include regenerating existing homes and providing key community focal points like community centres to ensure everyone benefits from our work”.

The 15 June Policy Committee report can be found at https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/documents/s39934/LANB%20Update%20Report.pdf