Garden plan grows bigger
Maxwell Kusi Obodum • Published 29 Jan 2012 18:00
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CAMPAIGNERS have launched an appeal to transform a notorious group of derelict "eyesore" buildings into a flourishing community garden.
Katesgrove resident Janel Blattler has set up a petition demanding Reading Borough Council bulldozes four badly damaged buildings off Southampton Street.
Ms Blattler, who is working in partnership with the Katesgrove Liberal Democrats, said: "Residents are fed up with this eyesore.
"We want the council to demolish the buildings which are potentially dangerous and convert the land into desperately needed green space for Katesgrove. These derelict buildings are in a prime location which I'd love to see given back to the community."
The site has been earmarked by residents, councillors and Katesgrove Residents Association since 2009 when the nearby Silver Street community garden was closed, just a year after community group Common Ground opened it.
Two of the buildings are owned by Reading Borough Council and campaigners want to serve a compulsory purchase order to take control of the two other privately owned properties and have them all demolished.
Katesgrove councillor Rebecca Rye branded the site an "embarrassment" to the town and said: "Providing a local green space for residents is exactly what money provided by Katesgrove developers to create leisure facilities should be used for."
Council spokesman Oscar Mortali said: "The desire for a community garden on the area of land at Crown Street and Southampton Street is well documented and officers will bring an update report to cabinet as soon as possible to address the issues relating to ownership and how the we can progress the use as a garden."
Sign the petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/katesgrove communityspace or search Katesgrove Community Space on Facebook.
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