The Save Our Open Space Action Group was formed early in April '98 following an article and subsequent letter in the Reading Chronicle. It began with a nucleus of 7 people who were a mix of plot-holders and local residents, with various other local people offering support. We now have a list of key volunteers/helpers numbering seventy (70) people with many more offering back-up assistance.
A public meeting was held on 28 April 1998 which over 200 people attended, where the vast majority indicated opposition to proposals for building. A second public meeting held as part of the planning consultation also attracted approximately 200 people with a large majority opposing development. A petition in 1998 worded simply in support of the retention of the open space and registering opposition to any building development has brought well over 2,500 signatures.
The Save Our Open Space action group has one aim only - to prevent the site from being built on. If that threat were to be removed many local people would like to develop discussions about future use of the land which would benefit the local area.
The example of the Pang and Kennet Valley Countryside Projects shows what a variety of possibilities there are given imagination. The local community is very willing to participate in developing and maintaining better use of this site.