A shock decision tonight (Wednesday 8th Feb.) as Wokingham Council Planning Committee grants outline planning permission to Reading University for their Sibly Hall development plans.
This decision, granted despite much local opposition before and at the meeting and Earley Town Councils rejection of the plan will impact many people in and around Sibly Hall.
I’ll post some more information about the meeting and what this will mean and what any next steps might able to be taken.
Beasley's Place 
Is this the proposal to knock down a big ugly cold war stylie accommodation block in the middle of houses to build houses amongst the surrounding houses you're referring to?
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Yes. However, it will result in the loss of one of the last open spaces in the area when 89 houses are built on the land.
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Alternatively they could turn it into 'social' housing, helping the homeless people in Reading?
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I think that would be a good idea, but I don't think they could get planning permission for change of usage.
I also think that there is likely to be asbestos in that building that could get disturbed during any refurbishment/preparation or in the case of the demolition when that occurs.
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I don't think they would need permission because 'social housing' would put it in the hands of the Council for them to use as they wish.
I believe the asbestos issue has been covered in the planning permission. Personally I think it would look much better as nicer housing than the Hall all boarded up and massive fencing put all around the green space.
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Can't argue with that. We'll have to see what happens over the coming months. Let's hope that we don't end up with a boarded up concrete pillar that's going nowhere.
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