Wokingham

Following Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive’s decision to support proposals to improve football facilities at Cantley Park in Wokingham, the next steps will see the council set up a special forum to consider a number of important issues on the project.

Cllr Frank Browne, leader of the Wokingham council, said: “It is important to stress that although the executive has supported this proposal in principle, there are detailed planning, legal and licensing processes to follow where a number of specific and important issues will need to be addressed. And to ensure these are fully explored prior to consideration by the relevant committees, the first meeting of the special forum comprising Glebe Park Residents’ Group, Cantley House Hotel, Wokingham Theatre, Cantley sporting groups, Wokingham District Sports Council, local councillors, and other interested parties will take place on Wednesday March 14.”

The decision to support the proposals is just the start of the project to improve Wokingham football facilities at Cantley Park. There are a number of detailed steps the council will have to take before the plans become a reality including planning, legal and licensing processes.

The forum will meet before any planning and licensing applications are submitted. Full public consultation would then take place as part of the normal planning process and the licensing committee would then have to consider the licensing application.

At its first meeting, the special Wokingham forum will be asked to consider a number of recommendations and a way forward for the forum to work in the future. This will include discussions on whether the forum wants to consider drawing up terms of references, have agendas and minutes of all meetings made publicly available, and that their views and recommendations are presented to the members of the executive as well as the planning and licensing committees when the Cantley Park proposal is being discussed.

The Cantley Park Forum will also be asked to look specifically at the issues concerning the public address system, licensing, car-parking provision, floodlighting, and the tenure of other users of the park.

Wokingham Cllr Browne added: “The district council is committed to ensuring Cantley Park is enjoyed by local residents and all sporting clubs who use the facilities, making it a great sporting venue for all our residents. We are very much committed to supporting and improving the sporting facilities at Cantley Park. Not only do we believe this represents a great opportunity for the sporting community, but also widens the sporting facilities for young people in the district.

“We recognise there are significant concerns about the proposals but believe these can be addressed in a constructive manner through the Cantley Park Forum. Residents will also have the opportunity to give their views as the project goes through the planning and licensing processes.”

Wokingham Borough Council