Plans have been submitted that could see a “world-class” polo facility being created in Wokingham borough.
Agents for the landowner of a 175-acre site at Upper Culham Farm in Remenham have applied to Wokingham borough council for a change of use for the location that is currently used as an equestrian facility and for arable farming.
During World War II, Upper Culham Farm, also known as RAF Henley-on-Thames, Crazies Hill, or Crazies Hill Farm, served as a relief landing ground and a location for assembling and testing Supermarine Spitfires.
The area was a crucial part of the war effort, with Spitfires being produced by dispersed manufacturers in the Reading area, and then flown elsewhere for deployment. It closed in October 1945.
In the application, agents wrote: “This is a long-term commitment by the applicant for the next 20 years and wishes to establish the polo facility for his high goal debut in 2027.
“There are no high goal polo facilities available in the Berkshire area. They are either currently owned by a team owner or the facilities are leased to a team owner. Also, there are few properties with the ground levels and scope to allow for a polo facility of this quality and standard.
“A polo field takes 12 acres of land. Additionally, many of the existing high goals farms were developed over 20 years ago and are in need of updating to modern facilities that are expected for such world class teams competing at the top level.
“This issue is increasingly driving new team owners to invest in building new modern facilities that give the very best welfare for the horses, and at the same time investing in the local area through the local economy and employment for many years.
“These equestrian facilities provide much needed income to the local economy and the anticipated spend into the local economy by the polo team will be in the region of over £2 million per annum.
“As an equestrian specialist we have over the years shown that equestrian facilities in show jumping, polo and racing are very important contributors to local communities in both income and employment. They often make the largest contribution as a single body to the local community.
“The applicant, Sarkis Gabrelian, is based in London but will divide his time between London and the farm during the summer.
“He will live in the cottage on site that overlooks the farm.The applicant is in a favourable position that allows him to devote a lot of his time to the game, through training, playing practices, tournament polo and investing in better quality horses each year.
“He is one of the few that takes the management of such an organisation seriously and has created a good team around him to achieve the goals he has set for the Mirror Polo Team. It is useful to outline the applicant’s start in the game, progress through the last two seasons and the future aims.
“The ambition of the team owner is to create a world class polo facility at Upper Culham Farm where his team and their ponies will have a centre of excellence for both pony and team preparation to compete for many years in the UK polo season at the highest level.
“This is a positive proposal utilising and building on an existing well established equestrian facility which would secure the future of the property as a whole.
“The local planning authority is urged to support this application for a new long term polo facility. It would benefit from the support of the applicant, who has invested both time and funds into the sport in the UK and who is committed to the local area. “
For more information, search application number 251143 on Wokingham borough council’s planning portal. The consultation period for the plans remained open until June 20.
