Wokingham

Following discussions with the Cantley Park Forum over the past few months, Wokingham Borough Council has submitted its planning application to improve facilities at the sporting venue in Wokingham.

The Wokingham council has submitted plans for a small football stand accommodating 250 people, flood lighting, 70 extra parking spaces and improved walkways at Cantley Park and this will be considered by the planning committee in January 2008. Plans can be viewed at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/planning (planning application number is F/2007/2722).

Since May, the Cantley Park Forum, comprising local Wokingham residents’ associations, current sport users, schools, local councillors and other interested parties, has been meeting regularly to discuss the proposals. A number of issues have been discussed at the forum meetings including funding for the project, car parking and traffic, pedestrian access, noise levels from the PA system, potential light nuisance and adequate match-day marshalling. There have also been separate meetings with the residents of Glebe Park in Wokingham to discuss parking issues.

The proposals would see football pitches at Cantley Park being upgraded with drainage being improved and the current astro-turf pitch replaced. The existing Ashridge Room will be converted for use as a small social club for Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club in the evenings and weekends and by the council and community during the day. Changing rooms and toilets will also be upgraded. There will also be an improved referees changing room and a medical room benefiting all users of the site.

The project proposal incorporates screening off a single premier-level pitch for use by Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club. There would also be training benches, pay boxes, floodlighting, PA system and a hard standing area, measuring one metre around the whole pitch.

Plans have been presented on two occasions at the Cantley Forum meetings, once with the initial project plan in June 2007 and again in September 2007 when the planning application was being prepared. Consideration has been given to requests and comments made by forum members in formulating the plans.

Susan Law, Wokingham chief executive, said: “This project is not just about providing a premier pitch for Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club, it is about improving facilities for all sports in the borough. As set out in the council’s sport and leisure strategy, we want to expand sporting programmes for all sports and to encourage our residents to become more physically active.

“We want to ensure that Cantley Park is enjoyed by local residents and all sporting clubs who use the facilities, making it a great sporting venue for everyone to enjoy.”

The Wokingham council has been preparing bids for Football Foundation funds to improve the current pitches, improve car parking and pedestrian access as well as bidding for a Football Stadia grant to construct the premier pitch and stand. Neither of these bids can be submitted to the Football Association until the scheme has planning approval.

Interested parties have until December 12, 2007 to submit their comments on the proposals before they are considered by the planning committee.

Wokingham Borough Council