Keyworker homes are blueprint for town’s future development
A NEW housing development for key workers on the former site of a swimming pool has been unveiled in east Reading.
Borough mayor, Cllr Tony Page, attended the Arthur Hill site on Thursday, January 18, to open the affordable housing development, and was joined by a number of prospective residents to view the homes.
The new housing has been built on the former site of the Arthur Hill swimming pool on Kings Road and has been ear-marked for use for key workers.
It still retains the façade of the building, which is locally listed and around 110 years old.
The rest of the development sees triple glazing, air source heat pumps and solar panels throughout, as the council strived to create a “blueprint” for future housing builds in Reading.
It applies Passivhaus principles to ensure the development is environmentally-friendly and lowenergy, contributing to Reading’s net-zero by 2030 ambition.
It is part of an investment of more than £110m towards providing more homes between 2021 and 2025, and is part of efforts to reduce waiting lists and provide flexibility for growing families.
Part of the costs were covered by Homes England, a public body which funds housing through its Affordable Homes Programme.
It has been set aside to provide homes for key workers on the council’s housing register at affordable rates, and a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The development is split across two buildings, with the front building facing Kings Road and a rear building leading on to Norwood Road.
There are 13 one-bed flats, and two two-bed flats, with parking at the rear and visitor parking at the front.
Electric vehicle charging points are included in the rear courtyard, which has been tiled to mimic the pattern of swimming lanes in a nod to the former use of the site.
Among the prospective new residents is Jimmy Capucho Amaro, who works in rehabilitation at Prospect Park Hospital, said: “Currently, I live in such a small space because it was all I could afford.
“NHS staff aren’t well paid, so rent is crazy unless you share with someone else – I share with five other people, which means I don’t spend a lot of time at home.
“With a space like this, I would finally feel like I could get proper rest; it would be such an upgrade.”
He added that more initiatives similar to the development would be a big incentive for NHS workers whose pay doesn’t cover their bills.
“It’s a very smart initiative– staff shortages and low wages in the NHS adds an extra benefit.
“The salary is the only thing about my job which makes me feel down about it, but this means that even if your pay is not higher, I’m earning more because I can afford it.
“Investing in us means we can invest in our work, and these kinds of extras really compensate.”
Cllr Page said: “I’m delighted to be here today to officially open the key worker accommodation at the former Arthur Hill Baths.
“As someone who’s been on the council for decades, I was delighted to support the decision to not only provide new swimming and leisure facilities in Palmer Park.
“But to also see us retain ownership of the building and convert it into housing for key sector workers in the borough.
He added: “It’s of an exceptionally high standard, highly-insulated and built to Passivhaus standards, which will hopefully keep heating bills down for the tenants.
“It also shows developers in the borough the sort of standards we expect in the future not only for repurposed buildings like this, but all new developments.”