New playing pitch for Newbury and Thatcham

Local league football could have a new home in Newbury if a proposal to develop a new grass playing pitch at Manor Park Recreation Ground goes ahead.

The proposal will be out for public consultation from today (27 April).

The Stoney Lane site could have an extra 30 parking spaces and toilets – but no floodlighting to avoid upsetting the neighbours.

The move is part of West Berkshire Council’s bid to get more pitches in the district. Its own playing pitch strategy (PPS) shows a 27 pitch shortall in requirement.

The PPS was produced in partnership with Sport England and the four national governing bodies for football, rugby, cricket and hockey.

Howard Woollaston (Con, Lambourn), West Berkshire’s executive member for internal governance, leisure and culture, said: “We want to support everyone to enjoy the benefits of active leisure by making sure we have enough facilities and that they’re accessible to all.

“We’ve made a detailed analysis across the district and it is clear that there’s a high level of demand for football and rugby in Newbury and Thatcham and that more grass pitches are needed. We’re proposing that one be created at Manor Park and want to find out what level of support there would be for this.”

It is anticipated that the pitch would be used for sport mostly at weekends, unless there is high demand for weekday use, and for a maximum of six hours per week during the football season (September to May).

The site would still be accessible for informal recreational pursuits and dog walking at all times.

Have your say on the Manor park proposal at http://www.westberks.gov.uk/manorparkpitch.