There have been some further developments since our last newsletter which we think should be brought to your attention.
Access to Reading Golf Course land during the lockdown
As you know, Reading Golf Club (RGC) allowed local residents to walk the golf course during the last lockdown in March, April and May, which allowed everyone to see how beautiful a green space it really is. It was surely one of the many reasons why so many people objected to the development proposals. However, RGC have recently announced that the course will not be open to non-members this time around.
RGC have told their own members that KEG was one of the reasons that they will not re-open the course to the public. However, we are more minded to believe that they no longer feel the need to ‘keep the public on-side’ as the public consultation has now closed.
Asset of Community Value
In the summer we made an application for the club’s land to be listed by the Council as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV). If successful, it would be added to the Council’s list of ‘assets’ and it gives 6 months from the time of any sale for the community to raise the funds to purchase the land. Unfortunately our application was rejected by the Council but it is still our position to try to keep the land free of housing as well as propose a number of alternative future uses of the course that would retain the land for the community. We therefore may re-submit a revised ACV in the future.
RGC’s accusations regarding KEG
RGC are claiming that KEG supported a plan to build 130 homes. We did not. In fact, KEG are on record as having opposed the inclusion of 90-130 houses on 3.75 hectares in the draft CA1b local plan. RGC subsequently held a meeting for its members at Highdown School. Seven alternatives were put forward, not by KEG but by RGC members, for the retention of the 18-hole golf course with the building of homes on a smaller area as a compromise. The number of homes was never stated and the area of land ranged from 0.92 hectares to 3.5 hectares. All these compromise alternatives were rejected by RGC.
RGC/Fairfax ignoring the local plan
Aside from ignoring the limit of 130 homes, RGC/Fairfax have also ignored other conditions of the local plan. The Government Inspector who approved the final version of the local plan, insisted that the CA1b land should be subject to a legal agreement that the remaining RGC land be used for golf. Clearly that’s not happening!
RGC’s Plans for their land in South Oxfordshire
RGC are going ahead with changes to their land in South Oxfordshire and have started filling in the sand bunkers. They have proposed a small ‘footgolf’ course on the same site as a 9-hole golf course, with no details regarding the facilities required to support it. KEG think that RGC will point to it as a fulfilment of the leisure conditions as required in the local plan, even though RGC have already stated that they will not maintain it and have not discussed their plans with SODC or Kidmore End Parish Council. Access will no longer be from the present golf course entrance on Kidmore End Road. Instead, there will be only one access point into RGC’s South Oxfordshire land - near the corner of Tanners Lane and Kidmore End Road where there is a small car park. As the public access to this car park will only be possible by car, this will lead to even more traffic on a very narrow road with no verges, steep and with two sharp bends. It will also need planning consent (which has not been sought). KEG have therefore written to South Oxfordshire District Council, Kidmore End Parish Council and Oxfordshire Council’s Highways Dept to make our concerns clear since it is our understanding that RGC have not made them aware of any of these plans.
Reading Borough Council’s Planning Committee Dates
As previously advised, the November meeting has been cancelled and so the earliest time that the Council can consider Planning Application 200713 is in December. The knock-on effects of the lockdown could very well delay the matter until January 2021. As soon as we know anything definitive, we will of course let you know.
