Plan to replace Cosmo Reading with 103 flats adjusted

Plans have been afoot for two years to replace the building containing the Cosmo global buffet with an 11-storey tower containing 103 flats.

Now the plans have been revised to reflect neighbouring new buildings, landscape measures and changes to cycle parking arrangements.

The adjustments have been made following the opening of Friars Walk as part of the Station Hill development, which has seen success with the opening of nearby Siren Craft Brew.

Plans show two commercial units facing Friars Walk with flexible uses. A restaurant remains part of the final project but it is not yet clear whether this will remain as Cosmo.

The revised ground floor plan for the project to replace Cosmo at 35-39 Friar Street, Reading with 103 apartments, a new restaurant and two shops. (Image: Stefan Shaw Studio / LDA)

Describing the adjustments, a planning agent from Stefan Shaw Studio said: "We have now updated our ground floor plan to better meet the existing landscape condition and illustrate how it now sits alongside it.

"The previously angled cycle parking has been straightened along the curtilage of the site to facilitate greater ease of movement along the colonnade in front of the commercial units and entrance to the residential core.

"Cycle storage arrangements have also been adjusted to create a more efficient use of cycle storage, separating the previous solely residential store to the centre of the plan, into residential and commercial/residential short stay with equal cycle storage provisions that exceed the requirements for cycle storage across the site."

Of the cycle spaces provided, 89 are for residents, with three disabled access cycle parking spaces contained in the plan. A further 12 bike spaces are provided for people wanting to use the retail units or guests of the people living in the flats.

There will be two accesses to the residences for future occupants, with one on Friar Street with a fully-fledged entrance with a reception, postroom, disabled toilet, and security office accessed off Friars Walk.

The project would see a restaurant unit re-provided facing Friar Street. However, it is not clear whether Cosmo will re-occupy the site, or move elsewhere.

The plan for the Cosmo building and the defunct 9-Round boxing gym was submitted by the applicants the Shaviram Group in September 2022.

The project was revised in the summer last year, with changes involving an enlargement of the restaurant unit and the relocation of cycle parking spaces. Typically, the plan would have been decided on this summer, but the latest revisions have meant that a decision on the project has been delayed.

You can view the adjustments by typing 220933 into the council's old planning website, fastweb.