There has been much talk in recent months about how best to use the Kings Lane site for the Englefield Green community. Some of that discussion has included inaccurate claims — but the facts speak for themselves: a feasibility study has now been completed, a deliverable plan has been agreed unanimously at Runnymede Borough Council’s Corporate Management Committee, and Labour is getting on with the job.
When the Runnymede Council Alliance took office in 2024, we reached out to the Conservative cabinet member for Englefield Green and tried to work collaboratively on this project. After an initial meeting, that engagement ended. Rather than working with us, she has chosen to politicise our attempt to deliver an essential community facility into one of the most deprived communities in both Runnymede and Surrey. We will not let that distract us from delivering for residents.
It took Labour councillors in the West and Independent councillors in the East to bring this forward: commissioning a proper feasibility study, exploring a combination of indoor and outdoor community activities on a single site, and securing unanimous cross-party backing at committee stage — including from Conservative borough councillors. We want to particularly acknowledge Cllr Chris Howorth, who whilst robust in holding us to account as an administration, genuinely offered to work with us in making this investment work for the village. That is exactly the kind of constructive approach our community deserves.
As Chair of Community Services and an Englefield Green councillor, I’m aware of the need for this project in the community. I’d also like to recognise the efforts of previous campaigners who helped bring it this far. A previous proposal did not move forward due to financial viability issues and because the Your Fund Surrey bid was unsuccessful. This time, the work is supported by a detailed feasibility study, a clear plan, and committed funding. Residents will be consulted before any next steps are taken on site. - Cllr Abby King, Englefield Green West Councillor and Chair of Community Services
Early proposals for the site — subject to consultation — include:
- New football pitches and a multi-use games area
- Replacement playground and skate space
- Outdoor gym and trim trail
- Community growing space
- A modern leisure and community hub to replace the dilapidated building at Larchwood Drive
The committee has approved investment of over £308,000 of existing Englefield Green S106 money directly into the site. We are also pursuing further external funding, including a strategic CIL bid, to keep costs to the public as low as possible.
We are also committed to protecting existing community use throughout this process. If interim measures are needed to safeguard current provision while works are progressed, up to £20,000 of Englefield Green S106 funding has been set aside specifically to ensure the community hub can continue to operate without interruption.
After months of hard work with myself Cllr Abby King, Cllr Paul Gahir, Cllr Eliza Kettle, Cllr Trevor Gates and Cllr Andrea, we've pushed hard to finally get this started and costed. This is a real win for our community and a stark contrast to fifteen years of Conservative inaction on this site. The Conservative's are now promising anything and everything with the elections round the corner, we on the other hand will just get on and deliver." - Cllr Robert King, Co-Leader, Runnymede Borough Council & Surrey County Councillor for Egham
Plans for the site will be discussed with residents through a consultation process, because this is your community, your facility, and your voice matters. We hope to share initial drawings soon.
Despite the inaccuracies and yet more broken promises from Cllr Marisa Heath, we will deliver this for Englefield Green. That is a promise we intend to keep.