Questions have been raised over the absence of an embryonic project to build hundreds of flats on a playing field in Reading.
Since 2020, there have been rumours of a plan to build hundreds of flats at the Morgan Road Playing Fields, which are owned by Reading School.
However, developments on playing fields are restricted by planning rules which state that they should only be built on if they are surplus to requirement, will be replaced by better facilities, or a development is for alternative sport and recreation provision.
It has previously been reported that Reading School has partnered with developers Jansons Property on a project to provide upgraded school facilities using income generated from a residential development.
But the Morgan Road Playing Fields site is notably absent from sites that have been suggested for development in the draft of the Reading Borough Council Local Plan Partial Update.
The Local Plan determines sites allocated for development in the borough.
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However, neighbours are concerned that the Reading School and Jansons partnership purposely did not suggest the playing fields as a site for development to avoid public scrutiny.
The prospect of flats being built on the field has been opposed from the outset by the Save Morgan Road Fields group.
Ian Gordon, a member of the group said: “For me and others living around Morgan Road in Redlands, seeing this apparently comprehensive list of sites being considered by the council as locations for new homes seemed to bring good news, since it didn’t include a feared development scheme by Reading School and Jansons.
“It looked as if the council didn’t take it seriously as a contender, given the policy conflicts involved.
“Slowly however, the penny has dropped that this list depended entirely on developers responding voluntarily to a particular Call for Sites from the council – the downside of which was having their proposal exposed to public consultation, ahead of putting a planning application in.
“And that there are other ways of establishing a dialogue with the council that don’t open them up to public reactions where these are expected to be negative.
“In the Morgan Road case where silence has reigned throughout the five years since the scheme’s conception, why should they break that habit now?”
Agents on behalf of Reading School and Jansons Property have previously rebuffed neighbour speculation that the development would consist of 388 flats in a document revealed through a Freedom of Information request.
The project to provide upgraded sports facilities would involve providing a new 3G all-weather sports pitch, a grass pitch, changing facilities, a new indoor sports centre and refurbishment of the school swimming pool.
Reading School has applied for funding for the upgrades from the Secretary of State for Education.
READ MORE: Reading School rebuts fears over plan for 388 flats on playing fields
A spokesperson for DevComms, the agents for the partnership previously said: “The proposals, and the enabling development to help fund the sporting provisions are at a formative stage.
“Whilst early proposals were submitted to the Secretary of State, the scheme has already evolved.
“The school is keen to undertake consultation with the local community to help shape the final scheme.
“As such, DevComms, dedicated community consultation specialists, have been instructed to initiate a comprehensive consultation programme.”
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