Town eyesore to get £50m revamp

The blue area is the proposed site for the new £50m Civic Centre

Plans have been unveiled for the £50m redevelopment of a "rundown concrete corner" in a Berkshire town.

Reading Borough Council began a public consultation on Tuesday into its proposals to redevelop the civic centre after the authority moved out.

Poor heating, high maintenance costs and health and safety issues have been blamed for the council's decision to relocate to nearby Hosier Street.

The plans, which have gone on display, have received cross-party support.

People have been invited to have their say on the proposals at a series of public presentations and exhibitions over the next few weeks.

Joe Lovelock, deputy leader of Reading Borough Council, said: "The regeneration of this part of Reading is going to be a great opportunity to rid us of a concrete, windswept corner, which is looking very dated and sad."

A spokesman for the borough council said it was hoped the new civic centre would act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area.

Final proposals are set to be approved by the council in April.