As Reading University nears the consolidation of its ‘on campus’ students accommodation, changes are planned for the existing Sibly Hall student accommodation.
It is (providing planning permission is given) to be demolished to be replaced by a housing development of some 100 new homes!
Reading University organised an recent exhibition to explain to local residents the sort of impact that the redevelopment might have on them.
On a warm day this was transferred to the lawn outside of Sibly Hall due to the numbers in attendance and the heat inside the meeting room.
It was interesting to talk with the University representatives who also included, Landscaping, Tree & Environmental experts who seemed to be well prepared and really & willing to answer as many questions as were asked. I spent about 90 minutes at the exhibition and found it very informative.
There were also some interesting presentation boards at the exhibition.
Listening to the ‘buzz’ during my visit, I picked up on some interesting topics of conversation, my impression of their importance seemed to be:
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Security for existing houses when the development was completed – this seemed to be of more concern to the residents of the houses to the south of Sibly Hall and those to the north of Redhatch Copse.
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Schooling seemed to be high on peoples list of concerns and how the new residents in the development would impact on school places for existing resident looking to place their children at Radstock Primary and Maiden Erlegh schools.
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The impact on local roads of the increased traffic. The University is saying that they have allowed for 1.5 cars for each of the 100 proposed homes when planning the layout of the redeveloped site. I and other at the exhibition thought that was a big underestimating and many people voiced their opinion about it. More like 2.5 per new house would be a better estimate. That’s a lot of traffic feeding into Redhatch drive!
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I raised the question about what would happen to the communications aerials currently on the roof of Sibly Hall. These will be transferred to a new 30 meter mast to be built and located just inside the boundary of Redhatch Copse – which will retain its classification as Ancient Woodland. Apparently a test has been carried out to see what a 30 meter mast will look like. I have been told that a video of that test will be made available on the University Local Community pages soon.
My understanding is that the initial planning application is to be lodged with Wokingham Borough Council in September following the feedback that the University receives from the public exhibition.
It will be interesting to see what are the main concerns from the day when it is published on the Reading University Local Communities website pages at the end of July.
More to follow and watching this with interest.
Might this be the end of this view as we know it?
Reference Points:
Beasley's Place 