Plans to refurbish and enlarge the Henwick playing fields in Thatcham called “poor” in objection from Sport England

Sport England has branded the Henwick playing field refurbishment as “poor” and have objected to the plans.

The decision to object was made on the grounds that “it is not considered to accord with any of the exceptions to Sport England’s Playing Fields Policy”.

The application, made in August this year, proposed to refurbish and enlarge the existing tennis courts on the ground to provide an artificial half pitch.

There are also plans for the construction of a new full sized, artificial pitch to replace an existing grass pitch on the grounds.

The new pitches have been proposed for multiple sports uses, including for tennis, netball, rugby, hockey and football.

The drawings submitted in the plans show a hockey surface but Sports England has pointed out that multi sports use on this surface could lead to claims against the club, should injuries occur during rugby games on a hockey field.

It said: "It is not suitable for competition football, and it is questionable whether competition netball and tennis could be played on it without further detail."

Sport England’s report stated that there was also no business plan, no usage plan and no sport lighting details outlined in the proposal.

Principle Planning Manager for Sports England’s south team, Bob Sharples, wrote in the assessment: “Supplementing the existing pitch with the additional training pitch and a full size pitch is not robustly justifiable at this time.”

However, he called Henwick Worthy Ground a “key site” for sport in West Berkshire.

Mr Sharples wrote: “I have received and I have advised them to withdraw the current application and to work with WBC (West Berkshire Council) and the relevant NGB’s (National Governing Bodies) to prepare a masterplan for Henwick Worthy Sports Ground.”

In a Thatcham recreation and amenities meeting this week (September 20) councillors also discussed the current process stage.

Simon Pike (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) was hopeful for the ground and said: “I suspect that there will be more reconsideration.”

When asked what will happen next for Henwick Worthy, Mr Sharples said: “There’s no blame to the people that submitted.

“They didn’t look at the wider context.”

He added: “They should not lose their faith as this all could be sorted out.

“They have got 12 months to resubmit.”

Many national governing bodies of sport have already been consulted on the refurbishments and given their recommendations.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has said that it is concerned with the loss of the natural turf pitch given that Thatcham RFC is growing in numbers and uses it on multiple occasions throughout the season.

The Football Association (FA) has stated that it does not support the planning application but “strongly” supports a masterplan for the site.

It is also concerned that there is “no mitigation” for the loss of grass.

The English Cricket Board, however, had no objections but also supported creating a master plan for the whole of Henwick Worthy.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) met with West Berkshire Council and identified the site as of “strategic importance” for the growth of tennis in the area.

Thatcham councillors have supported the refurbishment in the past in a planning and highways committee meeting.

Mr Pike added: “The new full size hockey pitch will be funded by The Hockey Club but will be open for use by other parties.”

The plans, along with Sport England’s objection can be viewed by entering 21/01790/FUL into West Berkshire Council's planning website.