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Public Inquiry denies the extension of the Playground on Englefield Green

The hearing by The Planning Inspectorate was held at Savill Court Hotel and was set down for 3 days from 15^th December but the Inspector found it impossible to get through the increased number of witnesses in that time. It therefore continued on January 11^th and 12^th at Council Offices in Addlestone.   

The Inspector found: 

“ Looking at the proposal in its entirety, and considering it against the criteria which I must apply, I consider that the adverse effects of the proposal on the neighbourhood, on the landscape and on the wider rights of access outweigh the benefit to the limited number of local residents who might benefit in terms of play provision.  My view is reinforced by the fact that there appear to be other sites where the adverse effects could be reduced. “ 

The Inspector placed more weight to the interests of the occupants of the properties surrounding the Green than to the residents of the village as a whole.  She concluded that the proposed playground extension would have an urbanising effect on the appearance of the Green.

 She highlighted the playground rather than the car park and/or pavilion as contributing to undesirable and anti social behaviour around that area.  She discounted police evidence that levels of anti social behaviour in this area were relatively low. She noted that 35 objections had been received and she had concerns about the level of support for the playground in the village as “very few” of the 249 signatories to letters of support attended the enquiry or gave evidence.    Nor was she satisfied that support from EGVRA indicated general support by residents. 

She felt that “there are possible alternative sites” in Englefield Green where a playground for children in this age group 1-7 and 7-12 might be located without saying exactly where, although she appeared to refer favourably to the comments made by objectors who recommended the Kings Lane site and she also mentioned dual use at St Judes School despite the reservations expressed in evidence about both of those sites.

It would seem unlikely that provision for a playground for this age group will now be made within the village. 

The full decision issued on 9th April can be read HERE