RESIDENTS have launched a campaign to have plans for the new Arborfield Green Sports Pavilion reconsidered so it can better serve its community.
Crest Nicholson’s planning application for pitches, an allotment and pavilion is under public consultation until February 17.
The Yes to the Hub group believes the current pavilion designs will only benefit a small portion of Arborfield’s community and does not take into account the opportunities to deliver a comprehensive well-being offer.
Martin Prodger, chairman of Arborfield Aces, said: “There has been a general agreement with regards to the proposed pitches. With so few people playing rugby now, it made sense to increase the number of football pitches and tennis courts.
“The population is expected to grow by 12,000, so to have a facility which would be used by 250 or so people seemed wrong to us and a complete misuse of money. The cricket season only lasts four and a half months a year. It would be a massive misuse of resources.”
He added that although the Yes to the Hub campaign acknowledged Crest Nicholson’s proposed designs fulfilled the brief of its 2014 planning application, it believes the new building could be altered to better serve the wider Arborfield community.
The campaign has proposed a community sports hub, based on an already existing design used by Oxfordshire Cricket Club.
It would include a cafe and hireable space which would be open to residents seven days a week with both recreational and community-facing uses.
Yes to the Hub claims their alternative proposal will cost £250,000 more than Crest’s building and believe the differential can be sourced through grants, loans, donations and fundraising.
“Crest Nicholson aren’t interested in loneliness, mental health and anti-social issues in the area. They couldn’t give a monkeys,” Mr Prodger said.
“The big fear is that if the building is only used by a few people, there will be no social ownership. It’ll get vandalised if people aren’t using it – it’s about creating a space where we can nurture young people, introduce them to soft sports and ultimately integrate them into the society.”
He expressed his desire for Crest Nicholson to be more open to suggestions from residents moving forward, ensuring that future discussions are not “closed shops”.
A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson said: “We are aware of the feedback being made on the live planning application for the pavilion, which the local community can log via Wokingham Borough Council’s website.
“Once the live window closes, we will review everyone’s comments and take them into consideration.”
