Save Our Open Space

Response to the Wimpey Planning Application

The Recreation Ground and Car Park Proposals

Car parking

In the opinion of local people congestion at the top of Kentwood Hill is caused by cars parked near the local club and not by users of the recreation ground. Behind the Co-op there is a car park for 300 cars, with a short-cut access route, which is not fully used at weekends. There is no need for further car parking for allotment users, in fact this proposal actually reduces their car parking provision. To quote from PPG12 –

‘future generations may value the lost resource more than the development which replaced it.’

And to add a quote from Joni Mitchell ‘They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot.’ Surfaced car parking is not needed or wanted and would destroy the rural feel of the site.

The Wimpey application provides for 16 parking spaces but these are to be shared between Recreation Ground users, visitors to the new houses and plot holders. There would also be at least 100 extra vehicles using the roads and parking.

The existing 14 space (7 in the car park and 7 along the track) car parking facility for plot holders would be lost, along with the space to unload bulky materials and a main access track. Only 5 spaces are to be provided under the new scheme, so the proposals involve a nett loss of 9 spaces for plot-holders in the North area of the remaining allotments.

The Recreation Ground

Local policy COM 9: COMMUNITY FACILITIES

The Borough Council will give favourable consideration to proposals which involve the retention and improvement of existing community facilities and will not normally permit proposals which result in the loss of community facilities.

The Borough Council will give favourable consideration to proposals for the provision of additional community facilities whenever opportunities arise and appropriate needs are identified.

As far as any planning gain involving the Victoria Recreation Ground is concerned there is little perception locally that this land is currently leased rather than owned by Reading Borough Council. It would seem that the people of Tilehurst already regard that space as public leisure space and would not allow it to be fenced off or otherwise withdrawn from community use.

The ‘Rec’ is used by office workers at lunchtime, by dog-walkers and for informal sport and play, as well as formal activities organised by local sports organisations. It also plays a role as a community area for social events such as fetes and fund-raising days.

The Charity has refused to renew the lease of the Victoria Recreation Ground since 1997. This should be settled immediately and should not be dependent on the outcome of the current application.