Part of a recreation ground wrongly sold then bought back by a council is now open to the public

Earlier this year Shrewsbury Town Council agreed a deal to buy back a piece of land at Greenfields Recreation Ground in the town.

It came after the council had wrongly sold the piece of land to developers.

Since buying it back the council has been getting the land back in a state where the public are able to use it.

The council has now confirmed the work is complete, and the land is now open to the public.

A statement from the council said: "Following Shrewsbury Town Council’s repurchase of the controversially sold and long unused parcel of land at Greenfields Recreation Ground, the council’s staff have been working hard to reclaim the land so as to enable it to be fully open for public use, particularly to ensure that it was in a safe state to make that possible.

"That work means that the land is now reclaimed and open to the public."

 The development has been welcomed by the Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, Alan Mosley, said: “We promised residents, and the active Greenfields Community Group, that the area would be safe by Christmas and I’m delighted that it is now open and available.

"Our staff produced a plan to extend our Countryside Site design principals into the area which means that it is dedicated to prioritising wildlife which all can enjoy. Hence, the plans to make the area safe and for wildflower preparation, footpaths, tree planting and minimum maintenance areas were discussed with the GCG and much is now completed, with further work to follow.

"Now that the public have the chance to visit the site we will, in the New Year, consult with all residents about their experience and consider their comments.

"We are also supporting the Community Group in their efforts to gain and use grant funding for further enhancement to the Recreation Ground as a whole.

"It has been an exceptionally challenging Autumn for our green spaces staff and they deserve massive congratulations for what they have achieved so far.”

 Danny Powell, Operations Manager at the council said: “No work could take place during the nesting season but since October we have carried out substantial works to re-open the wildlife area to the public.

"The brambles and overgrown vegetation have been cut down, hedges cut back and on the one corner reduced to improve visibility.

"Trees have been lifted from around the streetlights and others which were dangerous removed.

"The large test hole has been filled in and levelled and a new gate installed.

"A winding tree bark path has been laid and a temporary fence put up along part of the rear boundary.

"This work has been carried out by Shrewsbury Town Council staff at as little cost to Shrewsbury residents as possible, alongside their other daily duties. During this period, we have dealt with storm Darragh, floods, periods of very wet weather so staff can be very proud of what they have achieved .”