Consultation launched on council plans for Reading town centre

Locals are being invited to feed back on plans for the future of Reading town centre.

The document supplements the council’s overarching local plan, which aims to create pleasant, accessible and sustainable environments to support the town’s growing population and economic development.

At the same time, Reading Borough Council has launched a public consultation on a refreshed statement of community involvement (SCI), setting out how the local planning authority will involve the community in producing planning documents, applications and pre-application enquiries.

This comes after a review of the existing SCI in October 2024 found that some elements related to neighbourhood planning were outdated.

The deadline for comments on both documents is Wednesday 26 February at 5pm.

Cllr Micky Leng, the council’s lead for planning, said: “Our town centre in Reading continues to grow and transition.

“It’s therefore important we have a comprehensive overarching strategy in place which makes the very best of the space which exists in order to help create an even more pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike.

“At the same time, we’re consulting on a refreshed SCI to guide how the council will involve the public on planning matters, giving them a direct say in how their local community develops.

“I’d urge as many residents, businesses and organisations as possible to take some time to feedback online.”

Following the public consultation, officers will take some time to consider public feedback before final drafts are proposed for adoption.