Media Releases

Updated Plans For Regeneration

29/01/2008

Press Release

The latest proposals for the widespread regeneration of a run down corner of the town centre - through the creation of new civic offices, a new theatre and library, as well as a new public square, shops, cafes and housing - go on display to the public this week.

Residents, businesses and traders are being urged by Reading Borough Council to attend one of a series of up and coming exhibitions over the next fortnight. Designs are continuing to evolve and proposals have been adapted following Stage Three of the consultation process, which took place in December last year.

Stage Four begins on Wednesday January 30th with an exhibition in the Civic Centre's Kennet Room, where members of the project team will be on hand to discuss any issues, before it moves on to the Hexagon Theatre and Central Library in February.

All views will again be taken on board so that residents, businesses and interested parties can see how their ideas are being used to improve the proposed plans.

Reading Borough Council has been forced to replace the current Civic Centre as health and safety issues, high maintenance costs and poor heating mean the current building would become unfit for purpose in a few years time. It is estimated the cost of refurbishing the current Civic Centre - including stripping out asbestos - would be around the same as building new fit-for-purpose Civic Offices, which are not only environmentally-friendly but would cater fully to the needs of the public and staff. The council also considered renting an existing office block in the town centre, but the cost of renting instead of building and owning a new civic centre made that option more costly and would not have been designed to enable good public access.

New offices also have the added benefit of acting as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area.

Residents also made clear in earlier phases of the consultation they would prefer any new theatre to be positioned in the town centre. A new theatre for Reading also offers the Council a unique opportunity to design a new central library into the plans, giving the opportunity for Reading to have the best possible arts facilities.

Phase Three of the consultation process showed significant support among Reading residents for the concept of a new theatre and central library for the town centre. Following this response, the Council has asked theatre-design experts to advise on the sort of theatre which is most suited to Reading. These discussions are on-going and they have recommended that the Council does more work on a range of issues so it can be clear about the viability of the options, which will then enable robust estimates of both the cost of building a theatre and its running costs to be worked up.

While this further work takes place, the architects are pushing ahead with the new civic offices element of the Masterplan. It is anticipated that a detailed planning application for a new civic headquarters will be submitted in March 2008, in the context of a wider redevelopment of the Civic Masterplan Area.

Councillor Jo Lovelock, Deputy Leader of Reading Borough Council, said: "We have always viewed the new civic offices as a first phase of the wider redevelopment of this grey and windy part of Reading, and because of the poor state of the existing building we need to get on with that now. The public support for both the new civic offices and the wider regeneration is very encouraging, but we need to get the next stages right and I would encourage residents to continue to involve themselves in the consultation, so we can further refine the plans to meet public expectations and ensure good value for council tax payers."

Councillor Fred Pugh, of the Conservative Group at Reading Borough Council, said: "As it develops, this project gets more and more exciting, and we hope the people of Reading will agree. We do really want your views. Do come along to the exhibition and tell us what you think. Your views really matter to us."

And Councillor Bob Green, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, added: "The public's support for the initial plans for this important area of Reading has been very encouraging and I hope that people will continue to feel involved through the more detailed stages. After all, it's their town, not just the Council's!"

The exhibition dates and times are as follows:
STAGE 4

- Wed 30 Jan 10am - 5pm - Kennet Room, Civic Centre
- Thurs 31 Jan 2pm - 7.00pm - Kennet Room, Civic Centre
- Fri 1 Feb to Mon 4 Feb 10am - 5.00pm (excl.Sunday) - Kennet Room, Civic Centre
- Tues 5 Feb to Tues 12 Feb, opening hours, Hexagon Foyer
- Weds 13 Feb to Mon 18 Feb, opening hours, Central Library

Comments on the latest proposals can be made by completing a form at the exhibition, visiting www.reading.gov.uk/civicarea or by requesting a comments form by tel 0118 939 0125 which can be returned by Freepost to Jan Sagoo, Civic Services, Civic Offices, Reading RG1 7TD.

ENDS

Oscar Mortali
Tel: 0118 939 0301