Council agrees to Telford village green protection bid
A much-loved green in Telford will be protected from developers following a council ruling.
Members of Telford & Wrekin Council's licensing committee unanimously voted to make the area of land between Priorslee Avenue and Derwent Drive, in Priorslee, an official village green. It means it cannot be built on.
St Georges and Priorslee Parish Council originally asked Telford & Wrekin Council to grant the status back in February 2010.
But council officials said there was a delay in dealing with the application because inquiries have had to be made to find out who owns the land.
It was debated by members the licensing committee on Wednesday night at Addenbrooke House, the council's headquarters. The council can register land as a village green if it is satisfied the land has been used for "lawful sports and pastimes" for a period of at least 20 years.
The committee was told the term traditionally included such activities as flying kites, playing football, picnicking, walking a dog, kicking a ball and birdwatching.
Events such as village fetes and carnivals also fall under the definition, a report with the application said.
Residents wrote to the council to back the application. In one, dated January 2010, Marcus Brampton, of Wordsworth Way, Priorslee, says: "The green really embodies the spirit of a village community."
