The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Winkfield has dumped an estimated half a million cubic metres of dirt on its grounds since 2013. The dumped soil contains waste material, including bricks and plastic, and residents fear it could contaminate existing soil on the site, which is home to several 200-year-old oak trees. The club's owners attempted to turn grazing fields into additional polo pitches as part of renovations, but the transformations are not yet complete, with compost piled in towering mounds several metres high.
Residents also complained about road disruption caused by lorries transporting compost to the venue. The Lead Local Flood Authority used lidar technology and found a clear indication that the development increased flood risk to the site and surroundings. Bracknell Forest Council issued an enforcement notice demanding the club remove the dumped dirt by January next year and level the ground, after concluding the club breached planning permission conditions.
The council has withdrawn the enforcement notice after the club submitted a new planning application to fix the issues. The new plans include two practice pitches and a new wetland habitat, but no commitment to remove the dumped material. Club bosses defended the decision not to remove the soil, claiming it would cause too much disruption to local roads, and a report commissioned by the club found more than 100,000 lorry movements would be needed to remove the dirt.
Prince Harry played at the venue during the Sentebale Polo Cup in July 2018. It remains unknown what specific contaminants are in the soil and their potential environmental or health risks, and whether the new planning application will be approved by Bracknell Forest Council.