Southcote housing and care centre approved for Amethyst Lane site

The project was unanimously approved by the planning applications committee

Affordable homes and a new care centre will be built on a site that has been sealed off for a number of years.

The site in Amethyst Lane, Southcote, west Reading, was a family support centre and Reading Borough Council's protection and planning department.

But it was sealed off and last seen open in 2016.

Now the vacant buildings will be demolished and replaced with affordable family-sized council homes and a new respite care facility.

The council's plan was discussed at a recent meeting and unanimously approved by the planning applications committee.

John Ennis, a Labour councillor representing Southcote, said the "100% affordable housing" and respite care facility were "very much welcome".

"I thank the adult social care team for creating the vision of what is desperately needed in Reading," he said.

The site in Amethyst Lane was a family support centre and the council's protection and planning department

He cited the council's schemes for a 35-place older persons day care centre and homes at the old Central Pool site, approved in March, and an additional day care centre and 42 flats in Hexham Road, approved in November.

The amount of housing contained in the Amethyst Lane scheme was reduced so that more four-bedroom homes could be provided.

In the council's adopted Local Plan from 2019, the site was identified for 32 to 48 homes.

The development that has been approved is made up of the respite facility and 10 three-bed and seven four-bed homes contained within three new terraces.

All of the homes will be made available through affordable rent.

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