The group applaud the
proposals to improve facilities in this local centre. Improvements are long overdue and sorely needed. None of the
community buildings are acceptable or meet current or future needs. Little has been achieved in the last 40
years, during which time there has been extensive growth in population and increase in housing density. We are
however, opposed to the scheme as outlined and urge the Council to have a
radical re-think. The scheme does not have the backing of local people. It is
also contrary to the current RBC Local Plan and would precjudice the revision
being undertaken at present.
Objections.
1.The
scheme is not sustainable. Reading Council should not fund the development of
services by selling off assets that are not surplus to requirements. The scheme
is predicated on selling off land (the junior school site, and most of Downing
Rd playing field) in the heart of a local centre that lacks key facilities. The
land it is proposed to sell off is not
surplus. It should be retained in Council ownership and used for community
facilities now and in the future in line with Council policies to improve Local
Centres.
2.It
is not acceptable to section-off a well-used local Recreation Ground for
partial use as a school playing field. Blagrave Recreation ground is well used,
and valued by the local community. It is in a central position, there are only
a few problems regarding misuse; it is overlooked and used by many. The
community has no other similar facility. The current proposal to section off of
the park into an L shape would be hugely resented and long remembered. We
welcome the proposal to remove the ‘temporary’ nursery school building from the
Park. Its building as an emergency measure is still resented after 60 years.
3.Reading
as a whole is poorly served with outdoor leisure facilities, parks etc.
Tilehurst in particular has few such facilities being ranked 12th out of 15
Wards for such provision. Locally we need all categories of play facilities,
for example we are short of football pitches, have no basket-ball /hard surface
areas for casual games etc. It is not sensible to sell off an existing playing
field in a central position that could be used to partly ameliorate the
shortfall in outdoor play provision.
4.We
welcome the integrated approach to public services. This integrated approach
does not necessarily mean it is essential that many facilities must be located
on one site. If the area
available were larger Globe would applaud this concentration with the improvement in ease of access for
the public, opportunities for co-operative working between different
professionals etc. However we recognise that there will have to be compromises,
since none of the sites available is ideal. There is insufficient space
within the two storey buildings proposed to allow for all the indoor
facilities which should be provided. We
are not convinced that any of the proposed facilities (school, library, early
learning centre etc) would be adequate. Having waited so long for any improvement to
be suggested, we do not want to see a local planning mistake. A local centre
fit for the whole of the 21st Century and beyond is needed . This scheme will not fill the bill ,
and precludes future improvements.
Summary
Reading Council’s current scheme cannot be modified to make it acceptable.
The scheme is flawed and another one, not based on selling off assets, should
be produced for discussion. The Council must look elsewhere for funds beyond
the Local Centre they claim to wish to improve.