Reading Football Club's property division has began a public consultation on plans for a new mixed-use development.

The Royal Elm Park proposal involves transforming an undeveloped area of land next to its Madejski Stadium.

Plans include to develop a 'world-class' convention centre, 630 new homes and 2,000 sq m of retail/leisure facilities including an ice rink, restaurants and a large public square.

In addition, a new 250 room hotel, a multi-storey car park and a series of transport facilities will also be developed.

It is understood the development will generate 1,000 jobs.

A series of technical assessments including highways and public transport, ground conditions (in consultation with the Environment Agency) and ecology have informed the proposals.

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The Royals Chief Executive, Nigal Howe, said: "This is an exciting proposal for both for Reading Football Club and the town itself.

"This sort of development is about engaging this part of Reading and the stadium in more activities, bringing people to this part of Reading just as similar developments have done in larger towns and cities across the country.

"This development is designed to make the matchday experience for home and away supporters even better in the future."

Mr Howe added: "This four-sessional public consultation is aiming to let people see how we envisage a development like this working in the long term and for their questions to be answered."

One consultation already took place on 15 October.

However, the further exhibitions are to be held as follows:

• Wednesday, 21 October between 2pm – 6pm at The Concert Hall, Reading Town Hall.

• Thursday, 22 October, between 2pm – 8pm at The Concert Hall, Reading Town Hall.

• Saturday, 24 October, between 10am – 4pm at the South Reading Community Centre.

(LM/CD)