Fears have been raised after secret plan to build hundreds of homes on playing fields in Reading have been revealed.
The Morgan Road Playing Fields in East Reading are owned by Reading School, a state funded grammar school for boys.
Back in 2020, a scoping consultation was held over the possibility of new sports facilities being provided at Morgan Road and Reading School as a whole, which would be part funded by new flats being built on part of the playing field.
The prospect of flats being built on the field have been opposed from the outset by the Save Morgan Road Playing Fields group.
The group has been able to reveal a massive plan for a total of 388 apartments through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department of Education.
A site plan revealed via the FOI shows that the flats would be divided into a two buildings, a four storey student residence and a three storey 'age friendly' apartment block.
Of those, 339 would be designated as student accommodation, with the 49 'age friendly' apartments made up of 34 one-bed and 14 two-bed units.
The breakdown of what the student accommodation would be made up of is mysterious.
Of the 339, 50 would be studio apartments, with all living facilities contained within one space.
READ MORE: Pressure mounts on Reading School over potential flats plan for playing fields
However, the descriptors for the other accommodation is more opaque.
'Cluster acommodation' is defined as people having individual bedrooms but sharing other facilities such as a kitchen, living room and communal area.
But the definition of 'club accommodation' is more mysterious, with no apparent definition.
Initially, it was believed 100 flats would be built on the field according to documentation circulated by the Save Morgan Road Playing Fields group.
As well as the flats, the site plan shows a proposed new 3G all-weather sports pitch and three-quarter grass pitch which would be retained.
The site plan was drawn up by DAY Architecture for client Jansons Property a developer which owns the Aldi, Victoria Cross and PureGym site in Whitley, and unsuccessfully applied to build a Lidl and 43 homes in Lower Earley.
But the 388 flats plan for the playing fields has been described as 'out of date' according to a communications company working with Reading School.
A spokesperson from that company, DevcComms, said: "Reading School, in partnership with Jansons Property, is pleased to provide an update on the emerging plans for significant investment and expansion of their sporting facilities.
"Proposals are at an early stage but the key ambition for the school is to deliver a proposed new 3G all-weather sports pitch and three-quarter grass pitch with associated changing facilities on their Morgan Road site.
"Following earlier consultation undertaken by the school, the Secretary of State for Education has recently granted consent for the release of a portion of the Morgan Road site to help fund the proposed new and improved sporting facilities.
"The proposals, and the enabling development to help fund the sporting provisions are at a formative stage.
"Whilst early proposals were submitted to the Secretary of State, the scheme has already evolved.
"The school is keen to undertake consultation with the local community to help shape the final scheme.
"As such, DevComms, dedicated community consultation specialists, have been instructed to initiate a comprehensive consultation programme.
Residents can get in touch with our community representatives, DevComms, via 0800 080 3299 or readingschool@devcomms.co.uk."
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