Reading Golf Club has slammed a Reading MP for “spreading misinformation” after he called for the club’s 260-home plan to be withdrawn.

The golf club, based in Kidmore End in Caversham, has signed up developer Fairfax and housebuilder Redrow to deliver more than 200 family homes and provide a medical centre at the current golfing site, as well as turning acres of private land into public green space.

Reading East MP Matt Rodda called for the application to be withdrawn after more than 1,000 people expressed a high level of concern in response to his survey on the plans.

Golfers ‘irate’ at ‘misinformation’

Gary Stangoe, manager of the golf club, said members of the golf club are “irate” because Mr Rodda “continues to state misinformation”.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), he said: “We fully understand people might not be happy with the prospect of development. It is when misinformation is shared that we have an issue with it.

“It is difficult in this age of social media to keep the facts at the forefront. It is disappointing when it is the MP putting out the misconceptions.”

READ MORE: Huge 260-home plan at Reading Golf Club in Caversham submitted

Mr Rodda issued an apology after claiming the plan had been rejected previously.

The golf club manager said: “It was ridiculous. We had never applied for planning.”

And Mr Stangoe said the MP has never apologised for referring to the land as open space.

On the survey by Mr Rodda, the MP wrote: “I’m opposed to the plan and believe the area should be preserved as open space.”

Mr Stangoe said: “People believe it is public space. It is not. It is private property and always has been.

“The only time it has been publicly accessible is during lockdown. Hundreds of residents were able to use the land to get exercise.

“But quite a lot of it will become public space if the plan is approved. We are very keen to leave an appropriate legacy. It will make Emmer Green greener.”

But the MP, speaking to the LDRS, said: “It is open space. It is not built on. It is beautiful green space.

“There is a footpath through the middle of it. I think most people would agree with that position.”

Impasse as both sides fail to meet

The two sides have failed to meet to discuss the development and are also in a dispute about why.

Mr Stangoe said the MP has never met with the club despite 15 attempts and most times he has not responded.

But the MP said he has attempted to meet with the club several times, with the golf club refusing to meet with him alongside local ward councillor Clare Grashoff, campaigners, and residents.

READ MORE: ‘Vital’, ‘wonderful’, ‘ridiculous’ and ‘outrageous’ – mixed response to 260-home plan at Reading Golf Club

Mr Rodda said he is happy to meet the club alongside the local community, but he wants “attractive brownfield development” rather than “large sprawling development on the edge of town with more traffic and pollution”.

The golf club manager said there are no brownfield sites available in the area and believes “everything Matt seems to want” is at Kidmore End, with nearby local shops and plans for cycling paths.

But Mr Rodda said: “To me it is common sense to build on brownfield sites.”