CAMPAIGNERS against a school being built on a popular community hotspot have cast numerous objections each, it has been revealed.

More than 350 objections have been cast urging Reading Borough Council (RBC) not to accept a bid from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to build The Heights Free School on Mapledurham Playing Fields.

There is a long-standing row between residents and the EFA, which has offered more than £1m to refurbish the playing field's pavilion to sweeten the deal.

However, several houses have filed numerous objections to RBC, meaning there are fewer objectors than first thought, the Chronicle has discovered.

One resident, for example, has submitted a total of 14 objections.

When approached for a comment by the Chronicle, she said it was done by mistake.

A spokesman for RBC explained: “Decisions on planning applications are made by the Committee based on the council planning policies and the breadth of material planning considerations.

"Applications are not determined either by the number of objections made, or the number of letters received in support of an application."

Meanwhile, nine objections were filed by Martin Brommell, chairman of Mapledurham Playing Field Action Group, from his address in Hewett Avenue.

Mr Brommell claimed last week the proposals "only meet the needs of a small community of primary school children, parents and teachers".

Notable objectors to the proposals include Caversham Trent Football Club, which uses the playing fields, the Football Association (FA) and Sport England.

However, responding to the latest consultation, more than 500 residents have voted in favour of the plans.

The previous two borough-wide consultations showed 70 and 71 per cent of voters supported the plans.

A spokesman for The Heights Primary School added: “We would encourage everyone to have their say in the consultation RBC are currently running.

"The proposal from the EFA would provide a much needed home for The Heights Primary School and £1.36m to invest in recreation at Mapledurham Playing Fields."

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