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Townspeople have voted overwhelmingly against an £80,000 expansion of Langborough Recreation Ground
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‘£80k Langborough Rec plan is taking the Mickey’

By Victoria Smith
February 29, 2012

Townspeople have voted overwhelmingly against an £80,000 expansion of a town centre park amid fears the revamp would create a “Disney theme park” and blight views over the green space.

A debate on the results of a second consultation on plans for Langborough Recreation Ground, off Gipsy Lane, was due to take place last night at Wokingham Town Hall in Market Place.

In a dramatic turn around from the first consultation, local people have now said a resounding “no” to more than doubling the playground at the park and providing outdoor gym equipment along with play equipment for older children.

Most of the responses saying “no” to expanding the park came in the final three days of the consultation, which has sparked concern among campaigners in favour of putting additional equipment at the park.

However, they have been reassured by Wokingham Town Council, which is behind the plans, that the submission from the online survey had been checked to ensure individual households did not submit multiple responses to the consultation.

The results in the new consultation show more than 210 people do not want the park expanded, but do support refurbishment of the existing playground, while nearly 80 wanted the existing 680 square metres increased to 1,724 square metres.

Around 40 people voted for a compromise between the two options, with some of the proposed new equipment taken out of the plans.

These results are in stark contrast to the first consultation conducted by the town council, which revealed most people wanted extra equipment at the park to cater for teenagers, as well as younger children.

Councillor Bob Wyatt, who is ward member for the area, said: “There are two extremes in this debate.

“A lot of people want it to stay on the same footprint and the other end is those in favour of it becoming a much larger park covering an area about three times the amount that is there now.

“I think the problem is a combination of concerns about noise and losing the green space of the park.

“People around the area see it as their village green, so it is intended to be for more people than just those who live around it.”

The park is designated as a village green under planning laws, however legal guidance from Wokingham Borough Council has suggested there is no legal issue with expanding the playground.

Residents against the development objected to a planning application, which was withdrawn last month, saying the plans would create a “Disney theme park” and attract anti-social behaviour and noise.

The officers at the town council had not made a firm recommendation to councillors on the amenities committee and local people from both camps were expected to be given the chance to speak at last night’s meeting.

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Most recent user comments 11 of 11

I don't believe that anyone will put down their Playstation to go to the local park because the playpark has been improved in size and facilities.

Equipment for a complete range of ages means that families can IN THEORY get out and use the park facilities together, but does anyone genuinely believe that this will lead to teenagers and 20-somethings going to the park with their parents?

It's in the middle of a residential neighbourhood close to the centre of town. But not as close as a number of other parks, and with fewer people living around it. i would suggest that most people who come to Wokingham - and many who live here - don't even know that the park exists.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
01/03/2012 at 16:14

Why do we need this equipment ? To encourage our youngsters to get out from behind their playstations and play outside for much needed health and social interaction benefits. Providing a range of equipment for a complete range of ages means that families can get out and use the park facilities together. Why this location ? It is a recreational park in the middle of a residential neighbourhood close to the centre of town. It takes a small portion of the park space (most of which could be got back if they ever knock down the unused toilet block !) and leaves plenty of room for other uses (footy, dog walking, green space appreciation). Seems like the perfect place to me !

PHJ
01/03/2012 at 15:57

PHJ - I did not see a single argument that our children DO need new facilities (these particular facilities, in this particular location). Would you like to respond to that?

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
01/03/2012 at 15:03

This is classic NIMBY behaviour. That is why I have used that term. I did not see a single argument that our children do not need new facilities, only that they should not be put in this park. It is not an insult, just a description of the argument used by the anti campaign.

PHJ
01/03/2012 at 14:48

An absolute disgrace. Selfish Nimbyism ignoring the needs of the next generation. Shame on you !

PHJ
01/03/2012 at 14:38

The people insulting the people who dont want the park are just as bad, since when was nimby a word to use all of a sudden, I think both sides are equally as intolerant as the other!

Orange
01/03/2012 at 11:11

PHJ, I care, I absolutely do. That's why I object to, what seems to me, to be a ill-thought-out waste of money, badly timed, badly placed, badly designed, and quite possible a smokescreen for the tarmac-ing of Elms Field over the next few years. I love this little town, and care about it immensely.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
01/03/2012 at 11:05

An absolute disgrace - selfish nimbyism ignoring the needs of the next generation. Shame on you !! Sure hope your grandchildren are raised in a more caring society !

PHJ
29/02/2012 at 23:08

Anyone know what the result is; re-think? Scrap the idea entirely and keep the money for something else?

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
29/02/2012 at 14:44

It is quite simple. While there is a need to upgrade the children's equipment in Langborough Rec. the rest of the proposed facilities like the adult gym and zip line should be provided centrally in Wokingham Town. It would be a much better use of Elms Field than creating more empty shops, which will happen even if those affected are in Peach Street.

PoneRana, Wokingham
29/02/2012 at 11:00

I think the entrance to Wokingham should say "Wokingham: Home of the miserable Nimby. Those people wanting to change anything please turn around now."