An action group is continuing to campaign against proposals to build homes on a green space in Reading, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter.
There are fears that a portion of Morgan Road Playing Fields, owned by Reading School, has been sold to make way for a 100 home development.
The school has argued that the sale is being undertaken to fund enhanced sports facilities, in a project first announced in a public consultation in autumn 2020.
Campaigners from Save Morgan Road Playing Fields argue that the prospect of homes being built on the field go far beyond ‘speculation’.
They have cited a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department of Education which reveals that the land has been bought for £4.5 million, permission is likely to be sought for a 100-home development, and there is a 50% chance of it achieving planning approval.
The FOI has been published on the campaign Facebook page.
A contract published on The Construction Index website appears to show that Reading School has entered into an agreement with developers Janson for upgrades to the school’s facilities, including a new 3G all-weather pitch, changing rooms and an indoor sports centre.
Campaigner Ian Gordon said: “The headteacher himself avoids any specific denials – or any release of information about the development and progress of the school’s scheme – maintaining the ‘radio silence’ that the school has maintained over the past four years, apart from a PR release for the statutorily required public ‘consultation’ in autumn 2020.
“The Morgan Road objectors to the scheme will be putting out more instalments of the available information and highlighting a series of very problematic issues with the scheme – as well as its negative environmental and traffic consequences – in the run-up to the expected planning application to Reading Borough Council.”
The group say there is a legal covenant which reportedly prohibits anything being built on the playing field other than a cricket pavilion.
There have been hopes that the playing field could be retained as the Abbey School, an independent girls school, expressed an interest in buying the field.
Will le Fleming, head of Abbey School, said: “The Abbey School warmly supports Reading School’s overall plan to improve their sports facilities.
“As schools, we collaborate closely in the best interests of students and as a central element in our wider partnership work across Reading.
“As Reading School know, in common with many local residents, we would love to support any solution that sees Morgan Road Playing Fields remaining as outdoor space with local community access, while enabling Reading School to complete their proposed improvements.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has made attempts to contact Reading School, but is yet to have received any response.
Previously, Ashley Robson, the headmaster of the school, said: “We understand that there has been concern from some local residents expressed on a Facebook group in relation to the development on land located on Morgan Road currently owned by Reading School.
“We do not recognise some of the claims made on the Facebook group.
“However, we can confirm that permission has been granted by the Secretary of State to sell a small proportion of the land and that any potential proceeds will be used to fund much needed upgrades to Reading School sports facilities.”
