A NEW housing development in Reading has been officially opened today (July 6).

Councillor Tony Page, the Mayor of Reading, cut the ribbon on the new North Street development, made up of more than 37 flats.

The development, near the town centre, is part of Reading Council’s investment of more than £110million to build 400 new affordable homes in the area, before 2025.

The strategy aims to reduce the waiting list and provide flexibility for current tenants to move to bigger homes as families grow.

The North Street development is made up of 36 one and two bed flats and one three bed flat and delivered by developers Beard.

Oliver, a new tenant set to move into a North Street flat, said the development has “exceeded all his expectations”.

Lead councillor for housing, Cllr Ellie Emberson, said the development is “exciting”.

“The feedback we’ve received from those viewing the properties has been heartening to hear. It shows that we’ve achieved our aim of providing tenants on our housing register high quality, affordable homes that they can build a life in”, Ellie added.

Earlier this year the Council approved plans to create a further 62 new homes on the former Central Pool site in Battle Street.

The Arthur Hill Pool development set to be completed this summer will see key workers from Reading move in to 15 new flats on King’s Road.

Cllr Emberson continued: “The North Street development is another example of the Council continuing to respond to the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis by helping our residents deal with energy costs.

“It is great to open this development and we aim to keep up the momentum by continuing to provide even more affordable homes for people in Reading”.