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Royal Elm Park - a new development in Reading
Topic Started: 7 Oct 2015, 03:40 PM (2,849 Views)
Owlish52
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This may or may not be related to Reading FC in some way, but it is interesting, from The Tilehurst End (Link: http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/7/9469671/cool-idea-for-reading-fc-development-royals):

Exciting news for Reading fans, with plans being made for a large scale development of the land around the Madejski Stadium.

The highly talked up prospect of major land development around the Madejski Stadium seems to be one step closer to becoming a reality, with a new project, called 'Royal Elm Park', being recently announced. Details are at this point limited, but a website lays out some of the basic proposals. There's been no official word from the club yet, so it remains unclear as to the involvement of either Reading FC or any of its shareholders.

All in all, it's an exciting idea, with a whole community of buildings being constructed close to the Madejski Stadium. It includes homes, restaurants, and leisure facilites - including an ice rink. What's more, a 'world-class convention centre' is also in the pipeline, designed to both attract 'international organisations', and play host to music concerts and other similar events.

This news comes after Sasima Srivikorn's comments back in late August that she was looking into the potential construction of an entertainment venue on the Madejski Stadium car park. She also gave the following comments which are unrelated to the Royal Elm Park project, but are certainly interesting now that it's been announced...

"We have a good asset in the club. Reading is in a good position with Crossrail and property development looks like a thing to do. So if we can have the permission of course we would like to develop. But to enhance the image of Reading. We feel like we are a part of Reading society now. We've grown to love the town and we want to do everything we can to help Reading to shine. It has great potential."

To clarify, there's currently no indication that any of Reading's shareholders are linked to Royal Elm Park, but that quote does seem to fit in a lot with what's now on the table. Throughout the period when Anton Zingarevich was looking to sell the club, it had been widely agreed that there was considerable potential in the area surrounding the stadium for would-be investors, and it does now seem that such potential is being explored.


There is more in the article, but the summary is that no ties to the Royals are known, but the name does make it possible that some tie exists or is intended. Still, any development near the stadium that is entertainment-related seems to be a good thing. The development itself has a (very limited) web site at http://royalelmpark.co.uk/, but they have posted dates for public consultation exhibit events in the very near term:

Thursday, 15 October 2015, 3pm-8pm - Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Madjeski Stadium, RG2 0FL
Wednesday, 21 October 2015, 2pm-6pm - The Concert Hall, Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, RG1 1QH
Thursday, 22 October 2015, 2pm-8pm - The Concert Hall, Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, RG1 1QH
Saturday 24 October 2015, 10am-4pm - South Reading Community Centre, 252-260 Northumberland Ave, RG2 7QA

Blurb on the site gives a few details, but the site can not be copied, so go there to read it (too long for me to retype).

Edited by Owlish52, 7 Oct 2015, 03:47 PM.
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Owlish52
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Given the capital costs of a project of this scope, even done in stages, there will not be a large amount of cash coming out for years. Still, any added cash stream is a plus. A 600-space parking garage seems very small; for game day, this would seem to depend on the Green Park railway station project coming into play - not the most certain of things and on a very uncertain schedule. At least to me, some significant alternate transportation method in place and working seems essential for this scope of project to make much progress. From what I read, the current bus system would not be at all sufficient. And weeknight games could easily be utter chaos, especially of there was also some activity at the Convention Centre.
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daib0
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The Tilehurst End


Madejski Stadium Local Development: New Drinking Location On Horizon For Reading FC Fans?

The lack of drinking options around the Madejski Stadium has long been a source of frustration for a both home and away fans alike but that could soon be set to change...

Article starts: While the proposed Royal Elm Park development has attracted plenty of headlines in the past few months, there's quietly been another major development close to the stadium that's been given the green light.

In recent weeks fans have been banned from using the car park on the site of the old HP buildings at Worton Grange, which is on the roundabout just past the stadium heading towards the M4. The reason for this is that preparation works have started on a massive new development called 'Reading Gateway' which will be a mixed-use site including 175 homes, 12 commercial units, two car showrooms and three warehouses. Of note to both home and away fans alike is that the plan also includes provisions for a 120-bed hotel that will have a pub/restaurant, plus a coffee shop, restaurant and bank, with all three having 'drive through' facilities. The BBC report that council approval has now been given for the project and that building work is expected to begin later this year.

http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/3/23/11289640/madejski-stadium-local-development-new-drinking-location-on-horizon




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Bahamoth

Very exciting! TWO developments?i'd imagine they'd both give each other a handy value boost when they be up and running. The area is gentrifying a fair amount. Time for a cheeky investments?
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Clyde1998
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http://tvproperty.co.uk/news/architects-offer-royals-seal-of-approval-for-500m-scheme
Architects offer Royals seal of approval for £500m scheme
Influential architects’ body, the Design Council has been impressed by Reading FC’s Royal Elm Park development.

Chief executive Nigel Howe said the finishing touches are being added to the application for the £500 million development which had a generally warm welcome from architect’s group (which now does the work of Cabe) at a presentation in May. The plans could reach Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee in July and if permission is granted, work could start next spring.

Royal Elm Park will have over 600 new homes, 2,000sq m of leisure and retail, a 250 bed hotel, with spa and winter garden, 102 serviced apartments, over 18,000sq m of public space, a multi-storey car park and the centrepiece development, The International, a world class convention centre.

Mr Howe told Thames Valley Property: “We are working very hard on this project and the design team who were given a presentation of our vision had their own views on one or two points but overall, they were very enthusiastic."

The focal point of the Royal Elm Park scheme will be the convention centre, which Mr Howe highlights, is a stand out development, designed not only to be functional, but to be a striking and admired feature of the town for many years to come. He said:”The design of the convention centre is both original and a quality piece of architecture, which will put us on the map as a countrywide facility that Reading can be proud of.”

But he revealed the idea stemmed from the fact there was a high demand for hospitality at the stadium, long before the current owners bought the club and this idea had been sitting on the back burner until both resources and time could be found to bring it to life.

The Thai shareholders were interested in bringing in further income to the club and the plans for Royal Elm Park were put forward to them. They were very excited by the future development, giving the project their full support.

As the centrepiece development, the convention centre is supported by the hotel as a necessary add on and the housing provides a method of funding the centre. Public realm and restaurants and shops, said Mr Howe, were intended to improve the atmosphere and facilities in the surrounding area.

It is hoped that once the development has been built, the atmosphere around the stadium will improve, with lots more for people attending the area, especially on match days. Although the Madejski Stadium car park was built as the biggest at a football ground outside Wembley, Mr Howe says for the stadium, on-site parking was ‘not always helpful'.

He said: “We know we need an allocation for disabled people and supporters who travel from afar, but outside of that, it can take up to an hour and half to get out of the stadium after a match. On the last two occasions I’ve visited the Emirates Stadium, I have travelled by train purely based on the fact that they have their parking under the stadium and it can take hours to get out after the game.”

However, Mr Howe said the loss of parking was unlikely to be problematic with public transport a high priority.

“We’ve got about 1,500 spaces and we are going to have about 900, other than those built for the housing, so we are going to lose around 600 spaces. But that, for a normal event is more than we use. Most people come by public transport or by buses or coaches.

“We are keen to encourage the council and private enterprises sitting in the area to push on with the mass rapid transit along the A33. That’s not just referencing what we are doing but it’s an important part of Reading itself.

“Green Park station is another important part. It’s just very disappointing we might not have enough trains stopping at the station until the early 2020s. Reading FC, the owners of Green Park and the MPs are all putting pressure on the rail companies and the Government to try to bring forward as quickly as they can, electrification and the right locomotives to allow the station to be utilised.”

Reading FC Propco, which is part-owned by the club, will fund the development but it is likely new partners will be brought in once planning permission has been obtained. The intention is that the development produces a long term revenue stream for the club.

One aspect the new development was not about, said Mr Howe, was concerts. Although, these were envisaged when the stadium was first built and a small number have been held here, the market has changed in ways that were unforeseen and the big arenas like the O2 now have the market.

Mr Howe went on: “There is a demand these days for events where companies want to introduce new products, innovations and ideas to their staff and holding these events in a conference centre environment away from their own premises is far more beneficial to them and their employees.”

An ice rink is also proposed within the convention centre as part of a multi-purpose hall which Mr Howe says could potentially host the World Darts. The area will also have a variety of uses for events such as exhibitions and sports events which need a large area of space.

On the pitch he said the club had hoped for more from last season and that next season the club’s desire to succeed would be approached in line with the traditional Reading way.
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Owlish52
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The BBC report (Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-36459644 ) that environmental concerns have been raised about Royal Elm Park - specifically that the construction of such tall buildings might restrict sunlight falling onto nearby Foudry Brook. Per the BBC:
Quote:
 
Reading Green Party councillor Rob White said: "If you put high-rise buildings on top of the river bank, that's going to shade the sensitive river environment.

"It could fundamentally change the habitat and change what is there."
...

Reading FC has said it is working with Reading Borough Council to resolve the issues raised by the Environment Agency.

A spokesperson added: "For a project of this scale it is normal part of the planning application process for [bodies that are consulted] to request clarification and additional information as discussions continue."
This sounds like a minor quibble that should be readily resolved, but when dealing with environmental issues, one never knows.
Edited by Owlish52, 6 Jun 2016, 03:23 PM.
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daib0
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Get Reading

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/royal-elm-park-development-planning-12184280?ptnr_rid=148820&icid=EM_GetReading_Nletter_MorningNews_News_largeteaser_Text_Story1


Royal Elm Park development planning application stalls

It was hoped the proposal for the project would be seen by the council's planning committee in November

The planning application for the new Royal Elm Park development in south Reading has hit a snag. The project next to Madejski Stadium aims to bring more than 1,000 full-time jobs to the town with a conference centre , hotel and ice rink all part of the proposal.

Reading FC chief executive and one of the men spearheading the development Nigel Howe said he hoped the application would go in front of Reading Borough Council 's planning committee in November. However, it is understood this will not be the case and will be more likely to be discussed by the committee in December or January.

Council spokesman Oscar Mortali said: "The council is still considering the planning application at this stage and will endeavour to progress the planning application to the committee as soon as possible and once all matters have been addressed."

The plans, drawn up by RFC Developments, also include 630 new homes, as well as numerous cafés and restaurants.

Should Royals achieve promotion to the Premier League, Mr Howe has also said there are aims to expand Madejski Stadium , beyond its current 24,100 capacity.


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T T E

Royal Elm Park Plans Move A Step Closer To Approval

The application was discussed at the Reading Borough Council meeting last night

http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/4/27/15441342/royal-elm-park-plans-move-a-step-closer-to-approval-reading-fc
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Clyde1998
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The Reading Borough Council planning committee's meeting regarding Royal Elm Park can be seen here: http://player.companywebcast.com/readingboroughcouncil/20170426_1/nl/player
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