Work is steaming ahead on Mapledurham Playing Fields as improvements to the fields near completion.

The playing fields located off Upper Woodcote Road have undergone may changes in recent months.

The most significant of these are the opening of The Heights Primary School and the upgraded Pavilion, both in September last year.

Recently, councillors on the playing fields trustees sub committee received an update on how works are progressing.

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Council officer Ben Stanesby reported that the landscaping works are now largely complete, which involve improving the grounds for pitches in the fields.

That said, ongoing work on the sports pitches will be required over the next five years.

The sports pitches are currently used by local groups, including the Caversham Trents football club.

The council has planned works to improve pedestrian access to the fields from Chazey Road, which is due to take place this Summer with a budget of  £5,000.

Additionally, the Heights Primary School offered to share its WiFi with the pavilion building at a cost of £1,500.

All the proposals listed above were agreed at the sub committee meeting on Thursday, April 7.

The improvements so far have been welcomed by councillor Isobel Ballsdon (Conservative, Mapledurham).

Giving feedback from residents, cllr Ballsdon said:  “I’ve heard much praise for the vastly improved accessibility which has opened up the playing fields to wheelchair users.

“Now mobility impaired grandparents are able to enjoy watching their grandchildren play football, and children’s buggies and wheelchairs are able to reach the new playground.

“Added to this, the lighting up of the central avenue, together with the fact that there are more people about, has made residents feel safe to walk their dogs alone.

“The Pavilion’s major rebuild and partial refurbishment has transformed it beyond recognition into a fabulous facility for everyone.

“A few finishing touches still need doing – you have already seen and approved the request to buy and install sound proofing panels, plus the need for more kitchen storage, but the building is nearly there.”

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Controversy was sparked in 2018 when the Heights Primary School applied to build its permanent home on the playing fields.

The move divided opinion in Caversham, with some neighbours forming the Mapledurham Playing Fields Action Group (MPFAG) set up to fight any building on the site.

During a planning committee meeting in April 2018, only councillor Josh Williams (Green, Park) voted against the school being built on the playing fields.

Cllr Ballsdon added that some residents who originally opposed the building of the school have changed their minds, and although the decision was “highly controversial”, the improvements made have been “a tremendous success.”

Prior to the new school building opening for the 2021/22 academic year, the Heights Primary School had occupied a temporary site at Gosbrook Road.