Dee Park Redevelopment update (03-01-2011)

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A trip down Tay or Spey Road on the Dee Road Estate in Tilehurst, Reading in the past would have see no structural changes since the 1960′s.

However, since the “Dee Park” regeneration project started, change is exactly what you will see if you visit this urban estate.  In our last visit to Dee Road, there was little change to the grey skyline which has dominated the estate since it’s construction in the 1960′s.

In our last article, we outlined what this massive urban regeneration project would entail http://www.thecityofreading.com/2010/09/07/dee-park-redevelopment/

Since our last visit, there has been some dramatic changes.  A visit to the project website, www.deepark-living.co.uk shows not only the ambition of this project in structural terms, but that the council and it’s partners (Catalyst Housing and Willmott Dixon Homes) are trying to breath new life into this historic estate.  We for one feel that urban regeneration is the way forward as opposed to eating up the green belt surrounding Reading.  The other great part of this massive project is that the fallen blocks are not being replaced with detatched mansions, but affordable housing.

The Project has been divided up into plots which are being completed over a timed schedule and above is pictured a plot which is on Spey Road.

Area 14 is the redevelopment in and around Lyons Square (pictured above), which will provide 13 two and three bed houses for sale along with a massive 24 two and three bed houses and 27 one and two bed apparments for rent! This is exactly what this area of Reading requires, housing which is affordable and this project aims to provide it.

A look at the remenance of the corner of Lyons Square / Spey Road (pictured above) shows tired grey housing with unused retail unit.  The new-look accomodation will breath much needed life into this grey skyline and give it a new lease of life as we move forward into the new century.

The partnership have though of everything with this regeneration, including involving the pupils of the local school in designing warning posters to adorn the walls of the construction site.  This will give these young residents a sense of belonging and involvement in the future of this exciting project.  The picture below shows the colour and life that will be Dee Park on it’s completition in 2017. 

If you have any views or old stories of what the Dee Road Estate was like back when it was first constructed, please feel free to leave your comments below.