Reading, Beacontree Plaza

Long Term Strategy & Development Consultancy

The Challenge

Beacontree Plaza is an office park in south Reading. The long leasehold interest is owned by the Freshwater Group. As a long term investor Freshwater wante to have the ability to maximise value through redevelopment.

The Opportunity

Campbell Gordon recognised that there was an opportunity to promote the site for redevelopment as part of Reading Borough Council's consultations in preparation fo their Site Allocations Document.  Campbell Gordon were retained as development consultants, and working closely with the planning consultants and Freshwater Group, they made the case for a mixed use allocation for the land.

The Result

The Reading Sites and Detailed Policies Document has identified an area, which includes the Beacontree Plaza site, as an area for redevelopment over the long term. This may include residential, an extension to the local retail centre and small scale employment & community uses. No final decision has been made as to the allocations. There are no current plans to redevelop Beacontree Plaza.

'Beacontree Plaza is a great little office park, and we are not intending to redevelop any time soon. However as a long term investor, with the site allocations effecting the planning decisions right up to 2026, we felt it was important to give ourselves the option for redevelopment if we think that is appropriate in the future. Campbell Gordon are always right on top of these things and spotted that there was a window of opportunity to make our case last year. They also have a knack for seeing how to get the most out of a piece of land so I am pleased to continue to have their advice through this process.'

Andrew Thomson - Commercial Manager, Freshwater Group