Thatcham Memorial Playing Fields get modified access after row over paths and gates

Controversial plans to move a path and put fences and gate up through the Memorial Fields in Thatcham have gone through.

But they were modified at West Berkshire Council’s eastern area planning committee last night (Wednesday), calming fears of blocked access to and from the fields, with a request for reinstatement of goalposts.

Remembering the 2007 floods, councillors pointed out the reasons for the works which are part of the district’s flood alleviation scheme.

“These basins will keep the people of Thatcham safe,” said Richard Somner (Con, Tilehurst South and Holybrook). “And we should not underestimate what happened, and what we are trying to achieve.”

“I waded thigh deep to save my children from school,” said Jeremy Cottam (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East), reminding people why the scheme is needed.

“Stoney Lane looked like rapids in the Grand Canyon. It could have been much worse and we should accept some costs on the community to ensure the safety of people here.”

Objectors spoke up at the meeting, saying people had been using the field since the late 1940s, no gates had been on the ground for 70 plus years, and that such a scheme was to the detriment of local taxpayers.

“The path connecting Beverley Close entrance around the corner has not been connected in this application which means anyone with mobility issues will not be able to get into the field and go around the top, they would have to go all the way down to the clock tower and back,” said Vicky Caws. “The gates proposed are also in addition to the original plan.”

In support, Nathan Gregory speaking on behalf of the applicant engineer Ardent, raised the complex land ownership of the site, which is privately held by a trust.

He said eight trees would been planted.

He said the footpath accesses had been granted in previous years by the trustees of the grounds, adding that they were closed once a year to prevent a public right of way emerging.

He confirmed that no public rights of way exist across the land now.

“Whilst the flood alleviation scheme is required to protect homes and livelihoods of residents it is the greatest challenge to the sustained running of the site in eight decades,” he said.

The playing fields will be bisected north and south.

“The trustee strategy is simple, two different landscapes with two different purposes,” he said “In time the northern area will be transferred to West Berkshire Council to be run as a public open space for recreation.

“We also hope the council will reconsider the installation of casual football goals in this area.”

He says grants have been given to reinstate football on the site, for development of junior and women’s sport.

“The fence is required for delineation of land owners, and encourage use of footpaths.”

Simon Pike from Thatcham Town Council told the meeting it had actively supported the measures for flood alleviation.

“We supported the main application for the scheme apart from concerns about gates across the path,” he said.

“The gates being locked in an open position addresses those concerns.

“We suggest an additional condition that within a month of the approval that path access to Brownfield Road and Tennyson Road be restored.”

A new cricket pitch goes in six months after the works, the tennis court stays and the playground areas get put back after three months of the work starting.

The flood alleviation scheme within the playing fields is the final scheme under the Thatcham Surface Water Management Plan with all the schemes working together to reduce flood risk.

It was identified that this final scheme would reduce both the probability and depth of flooding for properties to the south of the application site.

The justification for the flood alleviation scheme was considered to deliver substantial benefits to residents in Thatcham.