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An artist’s impression of what Elms Field could look like if the proposed regeneration goes ahead
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New view of Wokingham Elms Field development

By Laura Herbert
December 20, 2012

This picturesque park is the vision for Elms Field which has been exclusively revealed to The Wokingham Times by the town centre regeneration bosses.

Looking from the cafe of the new supermarket the artist’s impression reveals a ‘flagship’ play area, fountains, seating area and large events space.

Despite some fears there will only be a small section of open space remaining, regeneration bosses insist the green space on Elms Field will be the size of two football pitches.

The designated events space will have water and power points and reinforced surfaces designed for vehicles delivering stages and marquees.

Stan Hetherington, who helps organise the open air cinema and Wokingham Food and Drink Festival, said: “Putting on events in Elms Field is a difficult task due to the slope and uneven nature of the field. It also suffers from a lack of water connection points, foul drainage and electrical services.

“The new park will overcome all these issues and we are really looking forward to bringing events to the town centre which currently cannot be accommodated.”

Councillor Alistair Corrie, executive member for regeneration, said: “We have a handful of events that take place during the summer, such as the Food Festival and May Fayre, but the range of events and their success is limited by the lack of facilities and the design of the area.

“The regeneration project has allowed us to work alongside those who organise these events to design a park which offers the right infrastructure for running the existing events and new events.”

Once the project is complete, Wokingham Town Council will manage Elms Field, making it easier for people in the community to stage events.

Other improvements include moving the existing Elms Road from the centre of the park to the far edge to create a link between the open space and the town centre.

Following feedback, the council amended plans to ensure the largest proportion of the park remains as green open space.

Bernie Pich, Wokingham Borough Council’s head of regeneration, said: “The current space is in a great location but fails to deliver on what people tell us they need from a really good town centre park.

“At the moment the open space is fragmented by a road and dead spaces.

“We have a popular play area but the equipment is dated and does not cater to the range of age groups that you’d expect in a location like this.

“This is our opportunity to deliver a flagship playground and support the families we want to draw into the town centre.”

Plans for the park will be included as part of the wider regeneration planning application early next year.

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Most recent user comments 10 of 10

I simply cannot wait for the new improved Elms field to be built and then maybe just maybe, the council will realise what a vast waste of money they have spent creating underground car parks, more supermarkets that drive away competitive shopping (they will say it doesn't) when all they need to do is spend a fraction of the cost on an overall and maintenance. Wokingham council why don't you jump in your cars and then if you can get past the congestion which obviously does not exist and take a look at somewhere like Marlow for tips on how a town centres green space should really be used.

wokeyblokey
27/12/2012 at 13:36

From the direction of the shadows the picture shown must have been produced very late on a summers evening. It is intreguing why there are so many people about and where they are going. Are we to assume that the council will be ensuring that all the new shops are open until very late in the day?

PoneRana, Wokingham
21/12/2012 at 15:18

If a photograph was taken in the same direction from the same place now what you would se would be mainly green grass and trees. There is a current lack of facilties in Elms Field. For example there are no seats in the area between Denmark Street and the current road. However the council should not be using its own inability to provide basic facilities and to upgrade the old ones as an excuse for destroying what is left.

Perhaps if they really need to take over part of Elms Field they would like to reinstate the Carnival Field, the Cricket Field and the other areas they have detroted or allowed to be built on in the past few years.

PoneRana, Wokingham
21/12/2012 at 15:12

Lets not forget that Stan Hetherington is a developer!!

well, well, well
20/12/2012 at 20:39

Where is all the litter and discarded cans in the picture - has it been airbrushed out for 'rose tinted glasses" effect ?

graywok, Woosehill
20/12/2012 at 11:59

“We have a popular play area but the equipment is dated and does not cater to the range of age groups that you’d expect in a location like this."

Very confusing statement - "its very popular" yes agree. If its popular it must by its very nature, cater for the needs of the area as people want to use it and have fun there.

graywok, Woosehill
20/12/2012 at 11:53

Look on the bright side, at least we get a cafe to cover up the ugly supermarket entrance:)

Having a big supermarket sign dominating that side of the park won't be very pleasing to the eye but it's not clear if they will allow that or not.

Mark Savill, Wokingham
20/12/2012 at 10:20

Take "move the road to the far edge" and add to these words "and build loads of houses along it", and also add in "and build a large hotel on what is currently green space" and you've got a very different picture.

The council seem to be trying to gloss up what is essentially the same destructive plan as one that actualy meets the concerns of those who have been complaining.

I actually do agree that the field doesn't meet expectations; it isn't utilised as much as it could or should be, and it has massive potential. I like the idea of making use of what is currently the back of shops and buildings already there to bring the field into the town centre and designing it with the ability to hold more events. But I don't like the mandatory parts of building houses and a hotel and a supermarket, or driving a road through valuable parking spaces. These things will *reduce* the level of green space and *reduce* the ability of people to park and visit our town.

Look at Clapham Common in the summer. People love green space. Stop reducing it in order to make a quick buck to fund an enlarged M&S store!

But I know I can't stop it. The council made their minds up on the most destructive parts of the plan long before any member of the public ever knew about any regeneration of any type. All we can do is decide where a few plant pots and benches go now.

mavdo, Wokingham
20/12/2012 at 09:52

Find it shocking that councilors seem to believe that if members of the public fail to turn up to a consultation on the the Park that this means we all support what has been put forward! How self involved must one be to believe this?

Little Voice
20/12/2012 at 09:19

So annoying... 'yeah, we've listened; we're going to continue as planned'.

Apparently Elms field "fails to deliver on what people tell us they need from a really good town centre park.". Really. That sounds like nonsense to me.

If there are great benefits to fixing "the slope and uneven nature of the field... lack of water connection points, foul drainage and electrical services", then add these. Has anyone EVER said that what Elms field needs is a hotel? A row of shops? Lots of flats? To move the road left a bit?