Pressure up on Reading School over 100 flats plan for field

There are fears that a portion of Morgan Road Playing Fields which are owned by Reading School has been sold to make way for a 100 home development.

The school has argued that the sale is being undertaken to fund enhanced sports facilities, in a project that was first announced in a public consultation in autumn 2020.

Campaigners from the Save Morgan Road Playing Fields group have argued that the prospect of homes being built on the field go far beyond ‘speculation’.

They have cited a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department of Education which reveals that the land has been bought for £4.5 million, permission is likely to be sought for a 100-home development, and there is a 50 per cent chance of achieving planning approval.

The FOI has been published on the campaign Facebook page.

READ MORE: Speculation in Reading over plan to build 100 flats on playing fields

Furthermore, a contract published on The Construction Index website appears to show that Reading School has entered into a contract with developers Janson for upgrades to the school’s facilities, which include a new 3G all weather pitch, changing rooms and an indoor sports centre.

Ian Gordon, one of the campaigners, said: “The headteacher himself avoids any specific denials – or any release of information about the development and progress of the school’s scheme – maintaining the ‘radio silence’ that the school has maintained over the past four years, apart from a PR release for the statutorily required public ‘consultation’ in autumn 2020.

A CGI of what the 100 home speculative development at Morgan Road could look like according to campaigners. Credit: Save Morgan Road Playing Fields

“The Morgan Road objectors to the scheme will be putting out more instalments of the available information and highlighting a series of very problematic issues with the scheme – as well as its negative environmental and traffic consequences – in the run-up to the expected planning application to Reading Borough Council.”

Additionally, campaigners have cited a legal covenant which reportedly prohibits anything being built on the playing field other than a cricket pavilion.

There have been hopes that the playing field could be retained as the Abbey School, an independent girls school, expressed an interest in buying the field.

READ MORE: Reading School could sell playing fields to Abbey School following concern 

Will le Fleming, head of Abbey School, said: “The Abbey School warmly supports Reading School’s overall plan to improve their sports facilities.

“As schools we collaborate closely in the best interests of students and as a central element in our wider partnership work across Reading.

“As Reading School know, in common with many local residents, we would love to support any solution that sees Morgan Road Playing Fields remaining as outdoor space with local community access, while enabling Reading School to complete their proposed improvements.”

The plan for Morgan Road Playing Fields by Reading School. The part of the field that would be sold is outlined in red. Credit: Reading School

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has made attempts to contact Reading School, but is yet to have received any response.

Previously,  Ashley Robson, the headmaster of the school, said: “We understand that there has been concern from some local residents expressed on a Facebook group in relation to the development on land located on Morgan Road currently owned by Reading School.

“We do not recognise some of the claims made on the Facebook group.

“However, we can confirm that permission has been granted by the Secretary of State to sell a small proportion of the land and that any potential proceeds will be used to fund much needed upgrades to Reading School sports facilities.”