Shinfield has its say on sport and recreation plans

Shinfield residents have shown support for community gardens, green spaces and the provision of broader sports facilities, as part of the University of Reading’s community consultation on future sport and recreation facilities for the area.

More than 100 people attended the consultation event on Saturday 28 January, held in partnership with Shinfield Parish Council, with good attendance from local residents and representatives of sports clubs and community organisations. 

Comments on the proposals, which included new sports facilities and outdoor recreation space, were submitted on the day, with further comments submitted online in the following weeks. More than 70 submissions were received in total.

Some residents were concerned about the location of the proposed new sports pitches (known as the ‘northern pitches’), traffic and parking issues and the improvement of active travel pathways in Shinfield.

The University has now published a detailed summary of the feedback received as part of the consultation, with proposed next steps.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Thank you to everyone who spoke to us or submitted comments as part of our community consultation. Our work to deliver future sport and recreation facilities in Shinfield is entirely for the community, so it is important that we hear people’s views as we put plans forward.

“The feedback we have received has been incredibly valuable in helping us better understand the needs and wishes of the Shinfield community. We have listened to the comments and will respond accordingly where we can.

“I know that the proposed site for the northern pitches has received a lot of comments. We recognise that this area, and other areas of open green space, are valued by the local community. 

“Our next step will be to review the site and hold a workshop with relevant stakeholders to discuss alternative options for the location of sports pitches and open space in more detail.  We will continue to engage with local people and there will be more opportunities to provide input to our plans in the future.”

Cllr Ian Clarke, Chair of Shinfield Parish Council’s Recreation & Amenities Committee, said: “We are very grateful for the contributions from all those that took part in the consultation and we are working on a revised set of plans for Millworth Lane that takes those inputs into consideration. We support the decision to look again at the proposal for the northern pitches and look forward to being part of those discussions.”

The University will be inviting a group of key stakeholders from across the Shinfield community, including councillors, residents who live close to the site, and local sports clubs, to participate in a workshop to discuss the northern pitches. Invitations will be sent out shortly to arrange a suitable date and time. 

Details for other specific interest groups, including the proposed new Shinfield Footpaths and Cycle Group, those interested in supporting the community garden and more, can be found in the feedback and response report.