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Sackville’s landmark Station
Hill scheme will include offices, shops, cafés, restaurants
and apartments as well as an arts venue and new public areas. It
has been designed by leading architects, Scott Brownrigg and Chapman
Taylor, in line with Reading Borough Council's vision for redevelopment
of the station area.
Station Hill is a project of great significance
to the regeneration of Reading and the wider Thames Valley, setting
a new standard for high-quality sustainable development and contributing
significant new public spaces and pedestrian routes. Its location
at the heart of the town, adjacent to the Station Interchange, offers
superb accessibility and provides a seamless connection at two levels
to the proposed new station.
In March 2008 a planning application
for the original 1.4m sq ft, mixed-use Station Hill scheme was passed
unanimously across all parties. However, it was withdrawn following
one or two concerns at central government level. The new scheme,
which includes the adjoining Friars Walk shopping centre, has a lower
overall density and more general public realm. There is also much
improved connectivity to Friars Street and the town in general. |