Neighbours tired of polo club where royalty plays

A POLO club that has hosted the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex has upset neighbours after building works that have lasted eight years were extended for another five months. Neighbours of The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club say they have had to put up with noise and disruption for the best part of a decade.

The latest work, to level a field and remove a road, was expected to be finished by the end of October this year. However, managers at the club in Winkfield, near Windsor, Berks, said wet weather had prevented the work from being completed. Bracknell Forest councillors have granted a deadline extension.

One resident said: “These works have continued to cause nuisance and distress to local residents since 2012.”

Another added: “The disturbance suffered by the temporary haul road behind our property has caused much stress. My family and I have really had enough now. “The applicants have no consideration for the local residents and have only prioritised their commercial gains.”

A third said: “The number of trucks speeding down North Street is intolerable as it is and continuing for longer will be unacceptable.” The Prince of Wales became a patron of the club after it opened in 1985, and his sons played there regularly.

In July 2018, the Duke of Sussex was cheered on by his wife. He scored twice. Councillor Moira Gaw, a ward member for Winkfield and Cranbourne, said: “I recognise work needs to continue at the polo ground to complete what is outstanding. “Hopefully that will be taken forward in a timely manner.”

She added: “I would like to put on record that local residents have really had enough of this operation. “Eight years of consecutive work has been excessive and has taken its toll.” The polo club has submitted a series of planning applications over the past eight years, including work to double the capacity of the grounds to 10,000 people, which was approved in June last year after also prompting complaints from neighbours.

One resident who objected at the time said: “A larger audience requires greater sound volume to penetrate both the greater area and the greater hubbub of chatter by the people attending.

“We can hear the noise from their entertainment and are disturbed by it at night even though we live over half a mile away.”

Other work has included revamping the pavilion, which was given the green light in June 2018, replacing the gates and altering the driveway. The polo club has been approached for comment.