Beloved Reading Test Centre Demolished for Flats

The driving test centre on Elgar Road South in Katesgrove - used by hundreds of thousands for practical tests over 30 years - has been completely demolished to make way for flats. It opened in 1995, closed in March last year and tests moved to Pacific House in Imperial Way in June 2025.

The cleared site will become a block of 16 affordable homes: eight one-bed, seven two-bed and one three-bed. Photos by Sam Boswell show a construction vehicle and equipment on site, and hoardings advertising the new homes are up.

Construction can only start once Reading Borough Council accepts key information about site management, building materials and drainage. Land contamination assessments were accepted by the council on October 23 (reference PL/25/1188 on the council planning portal).

Permission was secured by Maxikka Homes after it won an appeal in April 2024. Councillors had rejected the plan in December 2022 over the lack of three-bedroom homes and on-site outdoor space. Maxika Homes was successfully able to appeal, with appointed inspector B Phillips saying the flat sizes would meet the town's housing need.

Inspector Phillips wrote: "The development would be located near to Waterloo Meadow, which is a substantial area of public open space to the west of the site, which I observed was within easy walking distance.

"It includes areas for cycling, play area, pitch, basketball and a BMX track as well as riverbanks, meadows and woodland.

"Whilst not providing the benefits of private space, this would then help mitigate against the inadequacy of any on-site outdoor amenity space and provide the future residents with acceptable living conditions."

The site was acquired by Abri, one of the biggest affordable housing providers in the south, in June last year. The development is due for completion in Spring 2027.

Abri has more than 258 homes either under construction or acquired in Reading, including 124 at Emmer Green Drive, 54 in Chatham Street, 40 at Caversham Road and 40 completed homes at Green Park Village.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter