READING STATION AREA FRAMEWORK
Client: Reading Borough Council
Team: Stantec, Latcham Associates.
Location: Reading. UK
We advised Reading Council and their partners on the strategy for the redevelopment of Reading Station and the creation of three new multi-modal interchanges. Our involvement was pivotal in transforming the vision for this major infrastructure project into a concrete plan that balanced the needs of various stakeholders, including local authorities, transportation agencies, and private landowners.As part of our role, we led the preparation of a comprehensive masterplan and framework to guide the mixed-use development of over 1.5 million square feet of new floorspace around the newly redeveloped £850 million Reading Station. This involved close collaboration with Council officers and landowners to ensure that the plan was feasible, sustainable, and aligned with broader urban development goals. Our work culminated in the formulation of supplementary planning guidance, which was rigorously reviewed and subsequently adopted by the Council, providing a robust framework for future development.In addition to masterplanning, we conducted independent design reviews of planning applications for several key development plots. This critical review process ensured that proposals met the high standards set out in the masterplan and adhered to best practices in urban design and sustainability. Our expertise was further called upon during public inquiries, where we served as expert witnesses, providing authoritative testimony to support the Council’s planning decisions.Throughout the project, our multidisciplinary approach and commitment to excellence helped to shape a transformative redevelopment that will significantly enhance the connectivity, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of Reading Station and its surrounding areas.