Local Greens were horrified to see that some of the playing fields behind Thames Valley University on Crescent Road were being earmarked for development in the Council's plan.

The plan is called the Sites Allocation Document and it details areas planned for development across the borough.

In the document the 5.6 hectare site is marked for a mix of uses including up to 315 housing units and commercial development.

The Greens are collecting signatures to have this site removed from the Site Allocations Document.

Local Green campaigner Rob White, who came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections, said: "Along with local residents, we oppose development on the playing fields beyond the current footprint of the buildings, because the playing fields are a valuable asset to the local community. Loss of this space would be detrimental to public health, building on it would put more pressure on local infrastructure and impact on wildlife. Development on these playing fields has been stopped in the past and we will stop it this time too."

There have been other attempts to build on the playing fields. For example in 1985 the county council was pushing for light industrial units on part of the field. At the time the Sutton Community Association fought these plans and fortunately they were dropped.

The Council will hold a pre-submission consultation in February 2010 and the documents will be submitted sometime in the spring of 2010.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor

1. For more information please contact Rob White on 07985 923938 or 0118 9667183.
2. Green Park Ward candidate Rob White polled 994, and came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections in Reading. At the last general election he stood in Reading East and increased the Green vote by over 50% polling 1548.
3. Here is a link to the main page for the Site Allocations Document: http://tiny.cc/k3mz2

The playing fields site is SA86 which is on page 155 of part 3 of appendix 3. This link should take you to the appendix: http://tiny.cc/SRPti

Printed and promoted by Robert White, 22 Cumberland Rd, Reading, RG1 3LB. Both on behalf of Reading Green Party.