On September 23rd 2009 Reading Borough Council’s planning committee voted to grant outline consent to Sackville Developments (Reading) Ltd for Station Hill, a landmark, 1.72m-sq ft mixed-use scheme adjacent to Reading Station. Subject to completion of legal agreements and Reserved Matters application, work could begin in 2011 and the first phase completed by 2014.

The Station Hill scheme will integrate with Network Rail’s and Reading Borough Council’s plans to invest £825m in redeveloping Reading Station and provide a new station entrance and public transport interchange. The proposals are also in line with Reading Borough Council’s Core Strategy, the recently adopted Central Area Action Plan, and Development Brief for the area.

Designed by leading architects, Scott Brownrigg and Chapman Taylor, the Station Hill development covers an area of 5 acres and comprises 1.72m sq ft of floor space to include offices, residential, retail (with cafes, restaurants and food outlets) an arts venue, a health and fitness facility, new public spaces and a central public piazza. A series of tall buildings will reinforce the importance of the scheme’s central location and change the skyline of the town.