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| The Meadway Precinct modernization | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 10 Feb 2017, 12:38 PM (202 Views) | |
| daib0 | 10 Feb 2017, 12:38 PM Post #1 |
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Inter-Forum Gamemaster!
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Get Reading http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/plans-revamp-meadway-precinct-approved-12581110 Plans to revamp Meadway Precinct approved as Boots agree long-term lease Chillingham Limited has been granted permission to extend Meadway Precinct and refurbish some run-down shops ![]() After seven years of planning and deliberation the redevelopment of a "very tired and sad" shopping precinct in Tilehurst has been approved. Chillingham Limited has been granted permission to extend Meadway Precinct, refurbish run-down shops and build new ones. On Wednesday, February 8 Reading Borough Council's planning committee approved the planning application, which was submitted in 2015 after five years of preparation. At the meeting planning agent Richard Irving said it will be "a viable and very attractive retail offer for this designated district and neighborhood centre". He said: "Boots have committed themselves with a new lease until 2029 and that is one of the fundamental aims, to keep one of the major tenants there. That's great news. They're very excited about the development proposals. They want to see investment attracting new retailers to the centre." In the plans, the applicants says the new precinct will "act as a much-needed community hub" which can "provide a widened range of services and facilities for the local community". It also states Boots and ASDA will be "focal points" of the redeveloped precinct, which was built in the 1960s. "It seems to have been a long time coming this development," said Cllr Jan Gavin, "It has been my local out of town precinct ever since I moved to Reading. I have seen it from the days when it had Waitrose and I wasn't able to afford to shop at Waitrose, to now when it is a very tired and sad development. I think anything that will enliven it, bring back into use the empty units and create a much more viable centre should be welcomed. There used to be a post office there and you could buy a newspaper there. None of those things you can do anymore in the precinct, you can buy second-hand furniture and get your prescriptions filled. That's about it. I do think it is encouraging to see the developer invest in this, in order to bring back a regional centre. I think the significance of that is people should walk to it or cycle to it, as it is a local centre." The plans were expected to be approved in January, but councillors postponed the decision so they could have a look round the site. Councillor Jo Lovelock told the committee the applicant has worked to improve the application and address a number of shortfalls, but said there were "a number of outstanding concerns". She said: "I think we all share the aspiration to see the precinct revitalised, it's in a sorry state at the moment. I have to say though Norcot councillors are disappointed at the overall approach of the applicant, we feel it is bolt-on and not a very imaginative application. I know existing businesses are very keen to have something happen there because it's having an impact on their viability and they definitely need that additional footfall." She then raised concerns about limited parking, the very tight access to the site via Honey End Lane and "the lack of investment in the flats above the precinct". Mr Irving said council officers were satisfied with plans to provide 200 parking spaces and insisted the applicants would try and encourage people to walk and cycle to the new centre rather than drive. He also said the applicants were "creating a much better environment" for people living in the flats above the shops, who have been consulted about the proposals. ![]() Sounds good to me ... that was my area of Reading, as an old Stoneham Schhool (Prospect) boy |
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| Tilehurstsouthbank | 10 Feb 2017, 03:46 PM Post #2 |
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Ah, my old back yard. It's looked dated for the last twenty years. About time it got a revamp. |
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2:26 PM Jul 11