Business in Berkshire Micro Sites - Reading development makes city aim high

Work has begun on a new high-profile development scheme designed to make one of Berkshire's top cities a prominent European location.

Hundreds of home swill be built as part of the Chatham Place project in Reading and local councillors are hoping that it will boost the city's image throughout the continent.

"Chatham Place is a vitally important part of the reshaping of the centre of Reading, as we continue to create a vibrant European city of the future," said David Sutton, leader of Reading Borough Council, according to the BBC.

"Chatham Place will provide a new focus for the western part of the centre of Reading, just as the Oracle has already done with dramatic success to the south and as the railway station redevelopment will do to the north."

A number of businesses will be housed in the ground floor of the development, as well as 300 apartments and a new multi-storey parking facility.

It is thought that this initial project will be completed by the end of 2008 and further extensions of the scheme have already been handed planning permission.