Developers of a plan for more than 1,000 homes in Station Hill have been told to ‘get on with it’ but the ongoing demolition work is ‘hugely encouraging’ according to campaigners.

The latest plans by Lincoln MGT to develop more than a thousand new homes in Station Hill were presented at a public exhibition at the Biscuit Tin last week.

The consultation event followed the start of demolition works on site earlier this month.

READ MORE: Signal failures causes delays for Reading passengers

Developers have been attempting to build on the derelict site since 2006, when John Madejski’s plans were rejected by the government.

A Reading-on-Thames blog post said: “Let’s get on with it.”

The blog added: “After more than a decade of delays, we really have no time for more”, referencing the Lincoln MGT motto for the development ‘time for more’.

The developer’s plans include office accommodation for around 8,000 employees, as well as a hotel, bars, restaurants and public space including a plaza.

Affordable housing will be ‘pepper-potted throughout the scheme’.

The first phase, which includes plans for 538 build-to-rent apartments, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2022 if the plans are approved by Reading Borough Council.

This would then be followed up with another two phases, which include plans to take the number of homes to more than 1,000.

Richard Bennett, chairman of Reading Civic Society, said: “The question was is it going to happen?

“The fact demolition work is going on is hugely encouraging.

“Whilst we didn’t have a wow factor we didn’t go ‘yuck’ either. There wasn’t anything particularly Reading about the designs. They could be seen in any town but that is quite typical.

“We need to think about it further as part of our consultation.”

Reading Civic Society was formed in 1962 to 'fight a wave of insensitive developments which threatened the historic town centre'.