Flats that are currently being built off a busy road in Reading town centre have reached a major milestone as the construction project nears completion.
Housing assocation Abri, which is building 40 new affordable apartments at the old Avis budget car rental site in Caversham Road, has reached a milestone with the ‘topping out’ of the build being achieved.
Councillor Tony Page, the mayor of Reading, and other Labour Abbey ward councillors Karen Rowland and Mohammed Ayub, attended a ceremony to mark the construction reaching its highest point.
All the apartments will be for affordable rent, with the site providing 24 two-bedroom, 14 one-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes.
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Celebrating the news, cllr Page said: “Warm and good quality homes are the foundation for wellbeing and strong connected communities, so I’m really pleased to see these much-needed affordable homes moving a step closer.
“Our strategy for housing is to provide many more council and social dwellings in Reading and building homes like these shows that affordability can be provided in a central location.”
The flats are being built by Abri’s inhouse construction team and are expected to be ready for the first residents to move in by March 2025.
John Kelly, Production Director at Abri said: “We’re making good progress with these new apartments which will make a real difference to the community. By using our own inhouse team we have full control of the quality and when they’re finished, we’ll have homes that people will feel proud to live in.
“Affordable housing in central locations like this where house prices tend to be higher is vital.
“The location of these homes means people can easily reach public transport links to commute to work and the centre of town. By building on a brownfield site we’re also revitalising disused land to help provide good quality homes that will keep communities connected.”
Of the 40 flats provided in Caversham Road, 34 will be available to buy through shared ownership and six through affordable rent.
Abri has a number of projects in Reading that include over 300 homes in the pipeline or currently under construction.
It is part of a consortium of housebuilders at the Emmer Green Drive development at the former Reading Golf Course, where Abri is delivering 124 affordable homes out of the 223 approved for the site.
Recently, the developers submitted advertising plans for the development that prospective buyers will see.
Meanwhile, Abri is also making progress on building 54 homes for shared ownership and affordable rent at 115 Chatham Street.
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