Shinfield residents helping to shape sport and recreation

More than 100 people attended a community consultation at the weekend to showcase options for sports and recreation spaces in Shinfield.

The event was held on Saturday 28 January by the University of Reading and Shinfield Parish Council, at the School Green Centre in Shinfield.

The consultation gives Shinfield Parish residents the opportunity to have their say on plans for future sports facilities and green space for use by the local community.

The event, which ran from 10am-3pm, was well attended by residents and representatives of sports clubs and community organisations. Representatives from both the University and Shinfield Parish Council were on hand to listen to people’s views and answer their questions.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, who attended, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to see our plans and talk to us about sport and open space in Shinfield.

“These proposals are entirely aimed for use by local people, rather than students. Together I hope we can create facilities to inspire people to spend more time outside, with all the health and social benefits that brings.

“These facilities will serve current and future Shinfield Parish residents for generations, so it is important that we get it right.”

Cllr Ian Clarke, Chair of Shinfield Parish Council’s Recreation & Amenities Committee, said: “It was fantastic to see so many residents and community groups engaging in these plans for future sport and recreation facilities in Shinfield. We have received some valuable feedback so far, and welcome further comments which will help feed into our plans to bring different types of leisure facilities to the area.”

Professor Van de Noort provides some further thoughts on the community consultation in his monthly column for Wokingham Today.

All of the proposals can be viewed online and people have until 17 February to submit comments. Once all comments are collated the University and Shinfield Parish Council will provide a summary of the feedback, and provide a response in the following weeks.