Locker Room

KEEPING THE GREEN GAP – AND PROVIDING NEW SPORTS FACILITIES







Dear Residents







Many of you are aware that the land at Woodcray Manor Golf Course has been the subject of controversy, including three legal actions brought by enforcement officers of Wokingham District Council.







The two planning applications recently submitted aim to do two things. Firstly, they recognise and protect the Green Gap designation between Wokingham and Finchampstead. The continuation of golfing and the re-establishment of a nursery on the site will provide an important long-term Green Wedge between existing built-up areas.



Secondly, the establishment of additional sports facilities, including a golf driving range, running track and tennis centre, will address the shortage of such amenities in the Wokingham area.







Planning permission already exists for an 18-hole golf course. Many years ago there was a pick-your-own facility on part of the site and a farm shop. Planning Application No. 0/2003/0122, a full application, relates to the construction of a nine-hole golf course, the provision of a nursery with glass houses and parking and change of use of the existing clubhouse to a dwelling.







The second application (No 0/2003/0081) is an outline application for the construction of a clubhouse, pro shop and greenkeeping facilities plus a golf driving range, football pitch, running track, and a tennis centre (including outdoor court and car parking).







This application also includes three detached houses and 28 apartments (including 20 affordable key worker homes), continuing the existing built-up frontage of Finchampstead Road.







A cycle path, immediately in front of these new homes, would enable Wokingham District Council to complete a cycle path from Molly Millars Lane to Sandhurst Road.







Key workers who need a decent home







Wokingham desperately needs homes for key workers – the people who keep our vital public services going day after day. Berkshire is losing firemen to other parts of the country because of high housing prices, particularly in Wokingham where around 80 per cent of all homes are detached properties.







Teachers, who earn the same salary wherever they work outside the London weighting area, are tempted to take jobs elsewhere in Britain because of more affordable housing. Policemen, who no longer live in subsidised police houses, are moving to cheaper areas like Oxfordshire and parts of Buckinghamshire, where they can commute to jobs in London at the Met’s expense and earn higher salaries.



Nurses, like other key workers, cannot possibly afford to buy a home and, in many cases in the Wokingham area, cannot afford to rent.







Most people in Wokingham are aware of how these key workers are sorely needed in the town and its surrounding villages. Inclusion of 20 key worker homes in the second application actually does something about it.







Why are we now asking for alternative uses on the golf course?







This has become necessary due to the legal action taken by Wokingham District Council in December, 2001, which delayed the completion of the last two holes. The golf course was therefore forced to close last year. The golf course had 400 members in 1999.



Membership plummeted to 14 after the council served the injunction. The injuction in December, 2001, was the last straw for the golf course.







It will take about two years to bring the nine holes back into play. Planning permission for the golf driving range, which will also function as a football pitch with running track, will provide income. Just as importantly, it will help to re-establish a client base as work continues on the golf course.







The tennis centre will provide an all-year-round facility, something that is available only to those prepared to make long car journeys.







Families, ferrying children to various sporting activities over a wide area, spend a great deal of time and money. The multi-sports use of the golf course will allow all members of a family to participate in various sports in one location.







In submitting this planning application we have sought to make the best use of land which already has an approved recreational use, whilst at the same time aiming to keep the openness of the area.







Yours sincerely,



Enid Vallely



Director



Eurogolf Course Construction and Management Ltd







HOW YOU CAN COMMENT



Wokingham District Council has sent a consultation circular to many households.



This application will not be dealt with for some time. Local authorities have to consult with many interested parties before coming to a decision.







This leaflet has been produced by Eurogolf Course Construction and Management Ltd, the lessees of the land. The company would like to hear your views too. You can make these known by giving your views to the Woodcray Manor Golf Course web site, whose address is:







www.woodcraymanorgolf.co.uk . Alternatively, you can write to:



Mrs Enid Vallely,



Eurogolf Course Consortium and Management Ltd,



Woodcray Manor Golf Course,



Finchampstead Road,



Wokingham, RG40 3HG.