Reading's £54.6m Heat Network Proposal Unveiled

Reading Council is exploring a multi-million-pound heat network to make heating cheaper and more efficient across the town.

The whole project would cost £54.6 million, and the council has applied for £17.2 million to deliver the first phase.

A heat network would pipe heat from big local buildings - council offices, the Royal Berkshire Hospital and schools - into nearby homes and businesses.

Feasibility studies by AECOM (2022, 2023 and this year) back the idea. The University of Reading also took part in a £5.7 million trial with the University of Aberdeen to test how to expand decarbonised heat networks.

It aims to start in the town centre. The council's climate page says: "The 'North of Station' area was selected from the four clusters outlined in the Heatmapping and Master Planning study carried out in Reading."

"The government intends that around 20 per cent of UK heat will be supplied using Heat Networks by 2050 and is bringing forward heat network zoning regulations to ensure that buildings connect.

"Reading's proposals centre around the use of its rivers and aquifers to source heat for its buildings."

At a planning meeting, officials discussed adding the approved Waterfront Square flats in Vastern Road to the network. Jonathan Markwell, the council's principal planning officer, said the developer felt they would be unable to contribute due to feasibility.

On funding, a council spokesperson said: "Viability relies on grant support, so redesigning the project and reapplying would be more likely, but that would depend on feedback from the government.

The heat network will be discussed alongside the council's greenhouse gas emissions at the strategic environment, planning and transport committee on November 12.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter