CONCERNS raised that a school field will be turned into flats and sports facilities has been addressed by a representative acting for the elite boys’ school in Reading.

Reading School has partnered with developers Jansons Property as part of a project to enhance its sports provision, which would include a 3G pitch, changing facilities, and an upgraded sports centre and swimming pool on the school site.

The project would require investment both from the Department of Education and through the possible provision of flats on land owned by the school.

Plans for the Morgan Road Playing Fields emerged when a consultation on the sale of the field was held in 2020.

Any building on the playing fields has been opposed by the Save Morgan Road Playing Fields group, with member Ian Gordon questioning why the field did not appear as a suggested site for development in the Reading Local Plan Partial Update process.

READ MORE: Questions over absence of project for hundreds of flats on Reading playing fields

In response, a representative for the partnership said: “Reading School retain our ambition to provide significantly upgraded sports provision for our pupils.

“The team have been working to refine the initial proposals, including early engagement with officers and stakeholders.

“The project remains at a very formative stage, and we are assessing the best way to deliver the investment required in our sporting facilities.

“Reading School is committed to being a good neighbour and will be undertaking extensive consultation with local residents, our school community and interested stakeholders in due course.

“We look forward to inviting residents to see our exciting plans and provide their feedback.”

The school and Jansons Property appointed community consultation specialists DevComms to initiate a consultation on the upgrade project.

However, no dedicated consultation website has been launched yet, and the sports upgrades project is not yet listed on Reading School’s current projects list.