CONCERNS have been raised over proposals to build a 3G pitch in Earley.
Earlier this year, Wokingham Borough Council unveiled plans for the facility at Maiden Erlegh School but some residents are worried about the impacts.
At a council meeting on Thursday, October 20, questions were asked on how the council would tackle potential issues addressing cost, anti-social behaviour and pollution.
Jeremy Evershed asked: “The proposed 3G pitch at Maiden Erlegh school is going to require significant investment from the council given the engineering work to remove the 10-foot slope on the pitch, improvements to drainage to avoid downstream flooding, pitch replacement every seven years costing more than £200,000, plus, potentially unbudgeted noise reduction fences.
“How much will the council spend on internal staffing and external fees to confirm whether the business case is still viable at the stated cost of £800,000?”
Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said the drainage has been included in the initial planning and will utilise an existing Thames Water service outlet.
However if the proposal was to progress beyond the feasibility stage, then a full drainage survey would be carried out.
On funding the pitch replacement, he said: “Wokingham Borough Council will set aside £25,000 per annum into a fund and, through efficient usage management and appropriate maintenance, the pitch should then give a good level of service for up to at least eight or 10 years.
“The internal staff resources so far have been utilised through the day to day staff budget. The external technical consultants have been included within the Football Foundation framework.
“However, given the inflation driven pressure that is now impacting the council’s financial situation, the continued viability of the business case will be closely scrutinised before any decision to progress further.”
Judith Clark, a resident of Sevenoaks Road, said traffic in the area during school pick-up and drop-off time was already an issue.
She added: “I have to close my windows to shut out the fumes and noise from cars parked outside my house after drop off or before pick-up, with engines running as drivers look at messages, listen to loud music, or converse by phone with the loudspeaker on.”
Ms Clark is concerned the congestion will continue throughout the evening until after 10pm and into weekends.
She asked: “The school has no power to control users’ behaviour once they leave school premises, and the council already does not keep daytime traffic in check, so how can it ensure that residents do not suffer further stress, noise, and air pollution in the evenings and at weekends too?”
Cllr Shenton said the council, Maiden Erlegh School and the two partner clubs will collaborate to ensure parking and traffic flow have “minimal impact” on residents.
Outside the school premises, the council will enforce the standard policy for handling anti-social behaviour.
Karen Brown called for there to be consideration on the mental health impacts of the potential development.
She said: “How do you propose to ensure that the mental health of the local residents is not affected by excessive noise from users of this facility, cars with banging doors and excess fumes, 4.5 metre oppressive acoustic fencing, floodlighting ‘til 10pm weekday nights, all day and evening ‘til 8pm at weekends.
“There is no respite from a seven day and night a week facility. An area that is overall very tranquil and undisturbed will be turned into an area of noise and traffic chaos.
“Where is the care and consideration for families with young children, the elderly and the myriad of health issues with which people may be struggling?”
Cllr Shenton said the project was initially launched by the previous Conservative administration and much of the background work had already been completed before the change of control.
He presented the proposal at an executive meeting in July “in good faith” and on the basis that “extensive consultation” would take place.
He said: “The consultation has raised clearly legitimate questions and, before we make any decision to proceed to the next step, we will certainly and carefully review all such issues.”
Ms Brown also asked if it was right for the council to fund a “white elephant” when it is facing financial pressures on its services.
Cllr Shenton said: “Whether it is actually a white elephant is something that we have yet to determine in the sense that the business case will be very closely reexamined.
“We have a demand for more capacity in the borough as we have a lot of teams actually having to practice outside the borough. However, that may or may not be the right place for a facility.”
Sandra Spencer was seeking clarity over the impact “ripping up the school field and replacing it with plastic” would have on wildlife who inhabit the area, as well as the loss of a green space which absorbs carbon dioxide.
Cllr Shenton expressed “disappointment” that an ecology report had not been completed but said one would be finalised before a full planning application was made.
He added: “We’ve only had one ecology officer until recently and the survey would be redundant in the event of not proceeding to planning.
“The council has no desire to impact wildlife in the area.
“However, it’s important to note the existing floodlit astro pitch, which we’re proposing to replace, has been in use for more than 15 years and is already situated next to Buckhurst Copse.”
