New outdoor sports hub vision now taking shape

Long-awaited plans for an outdoor sports hub at the southern outskirts of Wokingham are taking their next steps towards becoming a reality.

Options are now being considered for the redevelopment of Grays Farm, off Heathlands Road, with the council set to agree the way forward early next year. 

Construction could start in spring 2027 after next year’s growing season, subject to executive decision in early 2026 and planning permission being granted after that. 

A planning application is likely to be submitted next summer and there would be a statutory planning consultation, as well as pre-application engagement with the community. 

It's hoped that the hub could be built by the end of 2027, with the grass pitches ready for the start of the season in September 2028. 

The current tenants, who run the fruit farm on the site, are aware of the proposals and programme.

Weighing up options for design

The council will fund the hub using contributions from developers building new homes within the borough, which must be paid under a legal agreement. 

Using this money, and possibly funding from external bodies like the Football Foundation, the council could build several artificial and grass pitches for a variety of sports. 

Facilities being considered include a two-storey pavilion with about 1,700 sq m of floorspace, meeting Sport England’s specifications, plus a circular activity track and green landscaping. 

It would have a car park, plus a walking and cycling link to the new housing to the north to encourage sustainable travel.

To try to provide a more financially secure facility, the council could invest additional money in a more commercial approach with a larger pavilion offering about 3,100 sq m floorspace. 

This would have a larger hireable events space, an 80-station gym, a studio space, and a soft play room. It would still meet the scheme’s aims while responsibly and sustainably bringing in more revenue to fund essential local services.

A second phase option, which could be pursued later on land to the east of the site, would be to partner with an operator on a wider joint venture like a sports village.

This is still being explored, and would only be pursued if it could meet the project’s sports and health aims and benefit the community.

Scheme could support key services

A cross-party scrutiny committee discussed the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday 4 November. Members requested that residents, community groups and local sports teams have plenty of scope to have their say on the scheme.

The principle of new sports facilities at either North or South Wokingham has been agreed since 2010, as part of the council's long-term Local Plan. 

The council bought Grays Farm for this purpose when the owners put it on the market in 2014. With the South Wokingham Distributor Road now being built, and about 1,800 new homes set to follow, the time is right to start bringing the hub forward. 

As with all local authorities, the council faces serious financial challenges for reasons beyond its control.

Although it is lobbying the Government for fairer funding, it must consider all reasonable ways of reducing costs and sourcing new income, ensuring new facilities provide a financially sustainable solution where they can.

Site will remain in community use

Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for economic development, sport, leisure and arts, said: “We're pleased to be moving forward with this proposal, which will provide great enjoyment for our residents for many years to come.

“It meets many of our goals, from giving new communities all they need to thrive to providing affordable access to physically and mentally healthy living. 

"By providing sustainable travel links as an alternative to driving, we can ensure new development has as little environmental impact as possible.

“We know many residents have happy memories of the fruit farm, which has been run so well by a local family for decades, but this plan will preserve its essence as a cherished outdoor space.

“No final decision has been taken, but any commercial options will be assessed with the utmost diligence and, if pursued, will support the services that our residents rely on. We’d also like to thank our officers who’ve worked hard to progress this project on our residents’ behalf.”

New neighbourhood coming together

The South Wokingham Distributor Road is set to open by the end of 2026, and several adjoining plots now have full planning permission for housing. The homes to the south of the railway will be served by a new primary school and a neighbourhood centre with retail and community space.

This is on top of the primary school, shops and more at Montague Park, which is also part of the South Wokingham major development. 

Payments from developers are secured through legal agreements as part of the planning process and have to be spent on projects that are linked to new housing.

The Grays Farm scheme will work alongside existing sport and leisure facilities including the nearby Pinewood Centre, providing high-quality sport and leisure facilities for everyone.