A new 3G football pitch is coming to Wokingham.

Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) planning committee approved the artificial pitch plan at Cantley Park last night (Wednesday, July 8).

The pitch will have floodlights and the pavilion will be refurbished, including new changing facilities, a viewing balcony and a cafe.

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Councillor Malcolm Richards, a member of the planning committee, said: “Anything that increases access to sport and recreation in the borough is welcome. It is upgrading existing facilities and adding new ones which makes it even more attractive.

“It is potentially available across the year. There will be better lighting and access. The floodlights have been modified so that it doesn’t affect the local neighbourhood and is fair to wildlife.

“It also reduces the amount of people needing to drive outside the borough.”

The plans are from WBC and will be the fifth 3G pitch built in the borough.

Back in December, WBC agreed to invest more than £1.6 million to enhance facilities at Cantley Park, which already include one astroturf pitch and half a dozen grass pitches.

The current grass pitches will be improved as part of the plan.

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An additional 39 parking spaces will be added, bringing the total to 164, will be provided and will include four larger spaces to accommodate minibuses.

The council will bid for funding from the Football Foundation to match fund its investment in the new 3G pitch and expects to hear the outcome in autumn.

Subject to approval of the grant, work would start in early 2021, with the 3G pitch being installed and the pavilion and parking upgraded.

Work to improve the grass pitches will start afterwards.

In recent years, the borough has seen a rise in the number of football teams and there are currently 534 active teams, according to the council.

Growing demand and participation means that more training facilities are required locally.

To meet this demand, the council has estimated an additional nine 3G pitches are needed as teams are having to travel outside the borough to use football pitches and winter training facilities.

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Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said:  “We are immensely proud that we have received planning permission for these fantastic enhancements at Cantley Park.

“Cantley Park is the largest park with playing pitches that are used by so many people from across the whole borough but we need to make significant improvements to the current facilities as they are outdated.

“So this is fantastic news for local teams, who will no longer have to travel outside the borough for matches or training, and it will help our climate change initiatives.

“These enhancements will benefit all of our residents, not just the football community.”