ABBEY SCHOOL could resolve a green space-saving controversy by possibly purchasing land being sold by another school amid concerns from locals.

Reading School, based on Erleigh Road, recently announced it would be selling part of the playing fields it owns at Morgan Road to fund a new indoor sports centre at the main campus, as well as new facilities at Morgan Road Playing Fields, including a 3G pitch.

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The school is holding a six-week consultation with nearby residents, parents and pupils, the council and other local schools on the plans for the sale.

After concerns from locals about saving the piece of land as green space, neighbouring Abbey School reportedly announced it would make the purchase.

In a letter seen by The Chronicle, Abbey School's headteacher said: "Reading School has entered into a public consultation regarding the potential sale of part of its Morgan Road playing field.

"This is the field that lies directly adjacent to our Senior School site.

"Details of the consultation are available here.

"We have taken part in the consultation exercise and expressed our support for Reading School as close and warm neighbours.

"We fully understand and accept their desire to improve their indoor and outdoor sports facilities through the proposed sale."

The move has been praised by local campaigners who said the the school has pledged to keep it as green open sapce.

The letter continued: "We have also made clear our interest in purchasing the land and ensuring that this part of the field remains as outdoor space dedicated to sports use and available to all via our programme of community engagement.

"We believe this represents the ideal outcome: all the land remains as a green space and lung in the heart of Reading; all of the land is dedicated for sport and exercise with community access via both schools' programmes of outreach; and Reading School is supported in its ambitious plans."

But campaign group Save Morgan Road Playing Fields has raised further concerns.

A spokesperson said: "We very much welcome Abbey School’s clear commitment to sustaining the green and sporting character of the fields."

But raised concerns over fears that the sports project proposed by Reading School would need a greater sum of money than that which could be gained from selling the land restricted to recreational purposes.

The group also claimed the land is subject to a covenant agreed by Reading Council in 1920 barring any development other than a cricket pavilion or similar.

Responding, Bob Kenwrick, the Chair of Governors, said: "Our consultation is about the potential sale of part of the Morgan Road Playing Fields.

"The price that may be achieved from such a sale is yet to be determined.

"The school has been clear that it would spend the proceeds on a range of investments in sport at the school and on improving the playing fields – that investment is dependent on, and will of course be limited by, whatever price is achieved.

"If the sale is permitted, then the school is required to obtain best value for the land and that will be determined by the expressions of interest received."

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He added that there were several possible uses of the land, and that any purchaser would need to consider the constraints.

"At this stage, while we could speculate, the actual price and future use is not known.

"However, the school will continue to use the playing fields for sport and hopes that an appropriate and acceptable use is found for any part that may be sold."