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Reading: Build-to-rent apartment plan for The Oracle

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An artists impression of the proposed apartment blocks alongside the river

Views are being sought on a scheme to revamp a riverside shopping centre and add hundreds of rental apartments.

The proposal for the 475 build-to-rent flats at The Oracle in Reading also features flexible working spaces and shops.

Under the plans the centre's owners, Hammerson, would replace the former Debenhams store and upgrade the Vue Cinema.

An online consultation on the plans runs until 26 August .

A drop-in session for residents to see the plans is also being held at The Oracle on 12 August 11:00-16:00 BST.

News imageHammerson The Oracle ReadingHammerson
The eastern end of the centre would be revamped to add the new apartment blocks
News imageHammerson The Oracle ReadingHammerson
How the eastern end of the centre would look following the revamp

Hammerson said it was working on the proposals for the homes alongside build-to-rent developer, Packaged Living, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

It said it hoped to achieve a BREEAM rating - a mark of sustainability for buildings - of "excellent" for the scheme.

The shopping centre owner said it expected to submit a planning application once it had reviewed feedback from the public consultation.

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