Issue 107 - March 1998

Caversham call to arms

Whilst I cannot comment on the detail of the planning application for 200 houses in a corner of the site adjacent to Reading, that small development would be the enabling financial spur to the project. We must, therefore, at the very least seek to persuade South Oxfordshire District Council to approve the park in principle, and hopefully agree the current planning application, that can make it all happen.

The park's centre piece would be a badly needed 2000 metre training course for the region, and would without doubt give a great boost to our women's squad, whose recent successes are in spite of the inadequate training facilities they currently endure.

But the park has to be much more than a course just for our use, and hence the involvement of so many other sports and recreational uses which the park must serve. We need our clubs and schools in the region, who will be the main potential users, to write in support to the council.

Letters can be from clubs or individuals, and I am grateful to many who have done so already. Divisional representatives have been given petition forms, for use by friends and family, and further supplies can be obtained from ARA headquarters (tel: 0181 748 3632). They should be urgently completed and sent either direct to the council or returned to the ARA office at 6 Lower Mall, London W6 9DJ.

As always, opponents to any scheme are inevitably more vociferous than those in favour, so we must match that opposition with our own vigorous support. Here is an opportunity to establish and secure, free from further development, save only that in the current application, a country park that will remain a permanent green lung and leisure facility for Reading and the surrounding region. We need your help. Please take time out to write.

Letters to: Mr C. Tyson (BA Hons) MRTPI, PO Box 19, Council Officer, Crowmarsh, Wallingford OX10 8NJ.

© Copyright Regatta Magazine, 1998.