On Tuesday evening Green Party campaigner Rob White handed in a petition, with over 200 signatures, to protect the Thames Valley University playing fields to a meeting of the full council.

Speaking after the full council meeting Rob White, who came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections, said: "This is a great success for the campaign. I'm glad that the Council has listened to us and cut down the size of the proposed Thames Valley University development site to the footprint of the existing buildings. The council says that if these buildings are no longer needed for education use, up to 93 houses could be built on this brownfield land."

"Following on from this success I asked Councillor Tony Page if the council could allocate all playing fields in Reading as protected land, but unfortunately he failed to answer my question."

"As expected Councillor Page attempted to rubbish the campaign at the meeting. But hindsight is a wonderful thing, up until the report tonight the whole of the Thames Valley University playing fields were in the document for development and Labour councillors were sending out mixed and unclear messages about what would happen to them. It basically came down to an issue of trust and with Labour's poor record in this area we pressed ahead with the campaign to ensure that the playing fields were protected."

ENDS

Notes for the Editor

1. For more information please contact Rob White on 07985 923938 or 0118 9667183.
2. Green Park Ward candidate Rob White polled 994, and came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections in Reading. At the last general election he stood in Reading East and increased the Green vote by over 50% polling 1548.

Printed and promoted by Robert White, 22 Cumberland Rd, Reading, RG1 3LB. Both on behalf of Reading Green Party.