Decision deadline pushed back for flood basin on Thatcham Memorial Field amid town council and Sport England objection

The decision deadline for a planning application for a flood basin in Thatcham has been pushed back.

The flood attenuation basin would be a 0.85-hectare flood detention basin and a 120m-long swale.

Earlier this year, applicant West Berkshire Council held a public consultation on it and is looking to move on to the next steps.

But it has been met with objections due to lack of information and loss of playing field area at Thatcham Cricket Club.

Thatcham Town Council initially objected to the scheme based on a lack of information on the impact of construction and remediation, lack of discussion on how the impact can be mitigated and remedied and a need for full costs to be arranged before work commenced.

It hadn’t received any formal communication about the plan in its capacity as landowner of Brownsfield Road.

The town council has since had a conversation with West Berkshire Council to reassess and amend its position.

The application will go before a planning committee at West Berkshire Council.

Sport England also objected to the scheme on the grounds of loss of playing field area.

It said it would reconsider its statutory objection if the applicant – West Berkshire Council – can demonstrate that facilities can be relocated without determinant to the main cricket pitch.

Further correspondence with Sport England found the body was also concerned with the temporary loss of the tennis courts.

It said it was not convinced of the arguments for taking the tennis courts out and expects it to be reinstated post-construction.

However, West Berkshire Council service director for environment Jon Winstanley said, following a meeting with Sport England, they have got a way forward.

He said it is hoped that work will begin in April.

The application can be viewed by searching 23/02187/FULMAJ in West Berkshire Council’s online planning portal.

It has received 18 letters of objection.