Controversy Surrounds Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
A prestigious polo club in the UK has found itself at the center of a pollution dispute after it was revealed that contaminated soil, containing plastic and bricks, was used on its grounds. The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club (RCBPC), located in Winkfield, has been involved in a long-term project to transform its grazing fields into additional pitches. However, this development has raised concerns among residents and local authorities.
Since 2013, the club has dumped an estimated half a million cubic metres of dirt on its land. This move was intended to create more playing areas for the sport. Despite these efforts, the project is still incomplete, with the compost piled up in large mounds several meters high. The unfinished state of the work has led to frustration among locals, who fear the contamination could affect the site’s existing soil, which is home to several 200-year-old oak trees.
Residents have also expressed concerns about the disruption caused by lorries transporting large loads of compost to the venue. One anonymous local said: ‘Many hectares of green belt land have been raised significantly higher than that granted under the planning permission with the increased risks and detriment to flooding, drainage and contamination to other land owners, families and residents.’
The Lead Local Flood Authority has also raised alarms over the potential flood risks associated with the development. Using lidar technology, officials found a ‘clear indication’ that the soil dumping had increased the risk of flooding in the area. As a result, the council initially ordered the RCBPC to remove the dumped dirt by January next year and level the ground. However, the order was later withdrawn after the club submitted a new planning application.
New Plans and Ongoing Concerns
The new plans include two practice pitches and a new wetland habitat, but there is no commitment to remove the dumped material. The club defended the decision, stating that removing the soil would cause too much disruption to local roads. A report commissioned by the club indicated that over 100,000 lorry movements would be required to remove the dirt.
One resident who lives near the venue described the damage caused by the previous project, saying they had seen firsthand ‘the destruction of our local roads and infrastructure.’ They warned that further heavy vehicle movements would be unacceptable.
Joshua Reynolds, Liberal Democrat MP for Maidenhead, expressed concern over the development, particularly the flood risk it poses. He stated that the club’s plans do not address the root cause of the issue—the unauthorized dumping of soil. Reynolds also raised concerns that the proposed wetland habitat could increase flood risks to surrounding areas.
A spokesperson for RCBPC explained that the original project was halted due to a contractor going into administration and the discovery of a high-pressure gas main on the site. They added that the unfinished land could not be accessed by horses or members of the public. The club also claimed that the new biodiversity improvements were greater than those in the original planning application.
Despite these claims, some residents remain skeptical. No objections to the club’s remediation plans were raised at a recent parish council meeting. In a statement, the RCBPC said it is committed to completing the works and working closely with the council.
Prince Harry and the Polo Club
The RCBPC has long been a favored venue for Prince Harry, who played at the Sentebale Polo Cup in July 2018 alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. Their attendance at the event came just a month after their wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. However, the club’s association with the prince has become complicated following his departure from the Sentebale charity.
Sentebale, which Harry founded in 2006, has since dropped polo matches from its fundraising activities. This move came after Harry walked away from the board of trustees amid a row over racism and bullying allegations. The charity attempted to distance itself from the royal, as the prince is personally fond of the sport.
Harry resigned as patron of Sentebale in March last year after the new chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, made allegations about his behavior. The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, which Harry participated in, was a major source of the charity’s income. However, following the controversy, the charity launched an investigation into the boardroom battle. The UK Charity Commission found no evidence of widespread bullying or harassment but criticized both sides involved.
