Defence Online

The developers behind the Swan Heights skyscrapers proposal are preparing to submit a new application for a “landmark” building.Lochailort Reading wants to construct a 22 storey tower, which will contain 314 apartments, on the old BMW dealership site in Napier Road, Reading.Managing director Hugo Haig told getreading the company had considered appealing against Reading Borough Council planning committee’s decision to reject the Swan Heights plans.But it then decided to scrap the proposals for three skyscrapers, start again and devise a new design while consulting with the council’s planning officers.After 12 months of working with planning officers and architects CallisonRTKL, developers are now preparing to submit a new planning application for the redevelopment, called Thames Quarter.Mr Haig insists the company is willing to work with neighbours and take their comments into account before finalising the planning application, which is due to be submitted at some point in October.If the plans are approved the the 314 apartments will be built for rent, not sale, under the Private Rented Sector (PRS) model.People will be able to rent studio, one, two or three bedroom apartments. There will be around 125 car parking spaces and a car club, which will allow residents to rent vehicles.The development will also include a commercial space, that could become a small shop or cafe, a communal terrace, a reception area, large plant areas, a bike store building and a line of trees by the Napier Road entrance.Communal spaces, which would include lounges as well as dining and exercise areas, would also be built on the upper levels.Mr Haig says Thames Quarter will be “a landmark building” which will attract hundreds of professionals, who are keen to rent while working in Reading.