A landmark decision on a project that would turn The Oracle in Reading into a place to live for the first time has been delayed.
A landmark decision to turn parts of The Oracle in Reading into homes has been delayed after councillors asked for a site visit.
Mall owner Hammerson wants to convert the eastern buildings to provide 436 apartments — demolishing the Vue cinema to build three towers with 218 flats, and partially demolishing the former Debenhams to create 218 flats on the other side of the River Kennet.
A decision was due at Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee on Wednesday (December 3), but councillors raised a string of concerns and voted to defer the application so officers can arrange a site visit.
Councillor Matt Yeo (Labour, Caversham) moved the deferral. He said: “I feel a site visit might help me better understand the development and how it sits within the rest of The Oracle.
“There are a number of questions about this, on how it affects the heritage of the area, and how it affects the surrounding area in general.”
Heritage concerns include the Grade II‑listed Great Expectations building in London Street, the Black History Mural at the old central club, and the ‘Reading Corporation Tramways Power Station’ plate incorporated into the Vue building.
Cllr Andrew Hornsby‑Smith (Labour, Church) raised worries about disabled access and possible bollards where ReadiBus drops passengers in Yield Hall Place. He said: “This is the most important application that I’ve seen on this committee, it will really impact the town centre, and we’ve got to make sure we get it right.”
Cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) disagreed that a visit was needed and criticised the proposals for reduced retail at ground floor level. She said: “For me, I don’t think a site visit would make any difference, it’s an area we know very well, and most have passed along there, we know what the site is like, and this is obviously radically different from what is there now.
“Because some retail units have gone, I’m surprised that more isn’t being put back in, there is a lot of ground floor space for things that will service the flats and not for the general public to use or for the people living in the flats to use.
“There are all these extra homes and less to do on the doorstep, is my feeling, more retail space would be welcome, particularly retail that is useful, like groceries and homeware.”
The plans show the former Debenhams ground floor taken up by a leisure unit, a restaurant, co‑working space, private amenity space, and plant and refuse storage. The buildings opposite would include a re‑provided cinema, a restaurant, private amenity space, refuse storage and plant. There is no grocery store in The Oracle, though ProCook, TK Maxx and Oliver Bonas sell homeware.
Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), lead councillor for planning, said a site visit would be useful and warned of disruption during the construction phase. He said: “Construction equals disruption, this isn’t like the Broad Street Mall and the Minster Quarter, where these are areas that need lifting, and there is a certain amount of hit that we take to get that.”
Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) noted only 10% of the 436 apartments — 44 flats — would be designated affordable.
Councillors agreed to defer the decision and carry out a site visit, possibly on December 18, with the aim of deciding in January or February. Jan Gavin (Labour, Caversham), chair of the committee, said: “This is such an important development, it’s a signature development for our town, we want to make absolutely sure that we’ve got it right before we make a decision. ”
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
