New homes in Reading: Crossrail brings new "village" with pastel-coloured houses and lakeside setting for commuters

Green Park Village is full of pastel-coloured houses on a lakeside setting. 
David Spittles3 September 2019

New "villages" are sprouting up on the fringes of Reading, the Thames Valley town lobbying for city status.

Already an important regional business centre, with a number of global companies based there, Reading sits at the western end of the new 60-mile Crossrail route, the prospect of which is boosting the local economy.

Reading to Paddington is one of the UK's fastest-growing commuter routes, but it's not all one-way traffic.

Every working day, more people arrive to work in Reading than leave for London.

Top towns for west London leavers — and more commuter hotspots

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St Edward, developer of 60-acre Green Park Village is building "Cape Cod-style" homes which are striking a chord with buyers.

These pastel-coloured houses with gables, porches and verandas on stilts are divided by white picket fences in a lakeside setting with trim trails and a nature reserve, shops and sports facilities, a town square, primary school and community hall.

A new train station will connect with Crossrail in Reading town centre.

Houses cost from £379,950. Flats start at £259,500. Call 0118 3216197.

Kennet Island is another new neighbourhood on the edge of the town. Prices from £240,000. Call Berkeley Homes on 0118 3216942.

A complete contrast is Verto, Reading's tallest tower block.

This 18-storey canalside building in the town centre has three roof gardens and 103 flats priced from £270,000. Call Haslams on 0118 9601 010 for further details.