Issue 112 - October 1998

Sonning scheme dashed

The £30 million scheme to create a training lake and park at Sonning has been abandoned after Lafarge Redland Aggregates withdrew its application before the South Oxfordshire Planning Committee was due to meet to consider it on August 12. The company learned that they were unlikely to be granted planning permission for the project which included 200 houses, a hotel, pub and gymnasium.

Residents at Sonning Eye were vociferous in their objection to the scheme which was contrary to housing policy, according to South Oxfordshire's planning manager, Chris Tyson. Residents' spokesman Peter Wright said: 'We are not against the rowing and other water sports. It was the overdevelopment of a rural parish that we objected to.'

The scheme would have used all but 20 acres of the 600 acre site for recreational facilities, including a 2000 metre rowing lake, a facility much needed in the area, to be paid for by the sale of houses on the 20 acres and with a hoped-for National Lottery grant. Steve Redgrave, who launched the scheme earlier this year with his Olympic partner Matthew Pinsent, said: 'The rowing lake would have given the opportunity for rowers of all ages and abilities to train on what would have been the first Olympic-sized course in the south of England. The entire British rowing community will be desperately disappointed at this sad news. The only people who will benefit will be our Olympic rivals.'

Martin Brandon-Bravo, President of the ARA, said: 'This development was part of our high performance plan. Redland's decision to withdraw from the water park is a profound disappointment for rowing, sport and recreation in the south of England. It is our hope that they and others with an interest in this area can find a way to bring this great public opportunity to a successful conclusion. The ARA and other sports governing bodies will give every possible assistance to keep this project alive.'

© Copyright Regatta Magazine, 1998.