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Beverley Close fence dispute continues at heated annual public meeting at Thatcham Memorial Hall




Residents voiced their anger at a lively annual public meeting at Thatcham Memorial Hall on Thursday evening (October 10).

The hottest item on the agenda was the six-foot fence that Thatcham Memorial Foundation erected at the bottom of the footpath off Beverley Close.

Thatcham Memorial Hall
Thatcham Memorial Hall

Residents of Beverley Close and Coopers Crescent have used the path to access the Memorial Playing Fields, primary schools and medical facilities for decades.

But they have been unable to conveniently do so since May, and claim they are frustrated by the Foundation’s lack of communication over its decision to close the path.

So, will the fence be removed and the path reopened as residents have demanded? The short answer: not anytime soon.

The Foundation confirmed it will be challenging West Berkshire Council planning enforcement after it stated the charity could face formal action for breaching a historic planning condition, as newburytoday reported in August.

But there may still be options left to explore.

After reporting on the Foundation’s activities, finances and answering questions submitted by the public in advance of the meeting, the path was up next.

At this time, Foundation chairman Nathan Gregory excused himself from the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, vice chairman Nick Cornish said: “The Foundation’s position has not changed.

“The fence was erected as a preventative measure against accident or injury in the interests of public safety.

“We have instructed our solicitor and independent planning consultancy to challenge West Berkshire Council’s position.

“At this time, WBC has not issued a breach of condition notice, thus there is no legal requirement to remove the fence.

“The Foundation has been working closely with the definitive map monitoring officer to whom 127 pieces of evidence have been submitted regarding a perceived right of way.

“The Foundation is gathering its own evidence to challenge this.

“It is understood that the investigation will take no less than six months.

“This is a reactive decision, not a permanent decision.

“When the pathway is repaired to a standard that meets the Foundation’s insurers, we are committed to reviewing the decision.”

The Foundation’s board of trustees previously told residents it installed the fence due to the “dangerous” and “substandard condition” of the path.

But residents in the audience were not satisfied.

The wooden fence erected at the bottom of the pathway off Beverley Close accessing the Memorial Playing Fields, pictured in July
The wooden fence erected at the bottom of the pathway off Beverley Close accessing the Memorial Playing Fields, pictured in July

Some complained of the delays and safety risks closing the path have allegedly caused for elderly, disabled and younger residents who must now travel via the A4 to reach the east side of town.

Some have lived in Beverley Close since the 1950s.

“If it doesn’t belong to you, why do you need it insured,” cried out one attendee.

“It doesn’t belong to anybody, so how on earth can you control it. Take the bloody fence down,” said another.

Vicky Caws, a resident of Beverley Close for 15 years and a keen advocate for reopening and adopting the path, added: “[The path] is no worse condition than the access we are forced to use going past the Hall.

“The piece of land you control is in a worse state than the piece of land you have blocked off and not allowed us to use.

“All in all, we feel isolated and shut out of the park.”

Iain Cottingham (Lib Dem, Thatcham Central), a nominated trustee for two years, stepped in.

He confirmed four incidents have occurred “within the site” and resulted in claims being made against the Foundation, which are currently under investigation.

This was why the fence was installed – not because of the ongoing flood alleviation works, as the Foundation previously claimed.

WBC also confirmed the fence was not erected for this reason.

“When I first found out the fence had been put up there, my initial reaction was ‘why, it should be taken down straightaway,” said Mr Cottingham.

But he continued: “My understanding of it is a risk assessment was done on behalf of the insurers.

“The insurers have said that needs to be blocked off.

“If it’s not blocked off, they will not cover the insurance for the trustees and the trustees will be left open to any public liability, so if someone walks through and falls over... you’ll have no trustees.

“If you have no trustees, this place will completely shut.

“If [the risk assessment] is not confidential, we’ll make it public, so you can then see what conditions have been given.”

Mr Cottingham also suggested a public meeting could be organised with the Foundation’s risk assessor or insurer to further explain the Foundation’s position.

A member of the audience suggested replacing the fence with a gate.

Mayor of Thatcham Suzanne Adamantos added: “The Town Council is willing to repair it.

“But we’ve just got some difficulties at the moment, the same as the Foundation, being who owns it.

“If we’re going to pay for it, we have to ask the permission of whoever runs it to do it.

“The same as the Foundation, we’re looking for professional experts and legal advice to find a way around this.”

It is understood neither the Foundation, West Berkshire Council nor the owners of 27 Beverley Close owns the path. So, who does?

Most of the bungalows in Beverley Close were built in the 1950s.

The aforementioned planning condition refers to the development of a further eight bungalows to the north of the street in 1980.

The development was completed by the applicant, Turner Bros (Reading) Ltd, a construction company based in Oxfordshire which dissolved in February 2023.

But there may be another way concerned residents can have a say in the path’s future.

At the start of the meeting, Mr Gregory explained the Foundation is only permitted 12 trustees by the Charity Commission, of which six are community trustees.

Each serves a four-year period and the current terms end next year.

But Mr Gregory confirmed at least two trustees will not be standing again.

He said: “The Foundation always keeps a list of any individuals interested in becoming a trustee, and we do ask for those people to come forward and make their position known.

“When vacancies do arise, at that point we would contact those individuals.

“Any individual within the area of benefit may be nominated for trusteeship.

“At this meeting next year, should there be more than six candidates, a poll will be taken of those present of who the public would like to be represented by.”



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