22 Winter 2018
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Please check if you can fell a tree When our Trees and Landscape Team was alerted to a tree illegally felled in the Sonning Conservation Area, they found a 16-metre Coast Redwood had been cut down without the owner giving us statutory notice in writing. The owner, who is developing two neighbouring properties, admitted his mistake and agreed to accept a simple caution instead of going to court. Conservation Areas are protected because of their special or historical architectural value. But it isn’t just buildings that are protected within them - trees are too, even in private gardens. This is because they contribute to the whole street scene. This tree was a high quality amenity, so prosecution was the right course. But in this instance a simple caution was the better option because it still resulted in a conviction without clogging up the courts. The caution has gone on the developer’s record with the police, and he’s agreed to replace the tree. More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘tree preservation’)
Loddon Valley Leisure Centre update
Anyone for squash?
Work updating the facilities at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre is going well.
We have invested £35,000 refurbishing two squash courts at Berkshire County Sports Club in Sonning, which you can use seven days a week.
The ground floor changing room refurbishment, creation of two new studios, and gym extension are all on track to be finished next year. Refreshing the café and reception areas, creating a new adventure play area, and work on the toilets are next. Our partner Places Leisure is investing £2million to enhance the centre’s current facilities to increase your choice of sport, fitness and wellbeing activities on site. More information: www.placesleisure.org
Carnival Pool Leisure Centre We plan to start work on the new Carnival Pool leisure centre once Bulmershe Leisure Centre is open in 2020. Called Carnival Phase 2, it includes the brand new leisure centre, a new library and apartments, and is part of our town centre regeneration. More information: www.regenerationcompany.co.uk (search ‘Carnival Phase 2’)
The Berkshire County Sports Club leases the building from us, and is run entirely by volunteers. It has provided a wide range of high quality sports activities for more than 60 years. Each squash court costs £8 to hire; the same price as in other Borough facilities. To book, visit the club’s website at: www. berkshirecountysports.club/book-online. Squash is also available at St Crispin’s Sports Centre in Wokingham, which is managed by Places Leisure.
