£100,000 grant for sports and play development in Theale

West Berkshire Council has awarded the Theale parish authority £100,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) grants to be invested in leisure facilities.

Over the next financial year, a new play area and multi-use sports area (MUSA) will be constructed on the village's recreation ground.

The public will be consulted on the proposed designs imminently, and the opinions of local school staff are also being sought.

It is hoped that these additions will improve local infrastructure, with the new Lakeside housing development set to expand the size of the Theale community.

Paul Clifford, who chairs the parish council's open spaces committee, said: "On behalf of the parish council's open spaces committee, we are really excited to share the news that Theale Parish Council has won a grant of £100,000 from the West Berkshire Council Community Infrastructure Levy fund.

"Subject to relevant permissions, the parish council is planning to replace the tired-looking play area by the church and add an all-weather MUSA to the recreation ground.

"We have outline plans for the MUSA which will include a multi-use sports court, walking/running track, basketball hoops, outdoor gym, exercise area, table tennis, street fitness and more, all covered by security cameras.

"The new play area and MUSA will cater for all age ages and abilities.

"We would also like our local residents to have their say so our next step is ask our parishioners for feedback on our plans before taking them to the authorities for planning permission.

"We aim to put the new facilities in place by April 2023.

"Many thanks must go to West Berkshire Council and our dedicated parish office staff for pulling together a huge amount of information to complete the application."