The Commons Registration Officer introduced the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer) for an application to register land known as The Green, Dunval Road, Bridgnorth as a Town Green. He stated that in order to regulate land as a village green the Commons Registration Authority must be satisfied that the land had been used by local people for at least 20 years. He confirmed that the criteria had been met and the recommendation was that the application be accepted.

Members noted the additional information as detailed in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting. 

Mrs K Wardle, representing local residents, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         The Green, Dunval Road, was a much loved piece of land well used by local people;

·         It was open space green land which should continue to be available for local people to use;

·         It had also been and continued to be used by people from further afield;

·         It could be accessed from the pavement so was very accessible for people with prams and wheelchairs;

·         A public footpath ran alongside it which gave access to woodlands; and

·         The landowner, Bridgnorth Town Council, supported this application.

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, Councillor J Hurst-Knight, as the local Ward Councillor, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.

Councillor W M Parr left the room in accordance with his declaration in Minute No. 143 above.

RESOLVED:

That the application to register land known as The Green, Dunval Road, Bridgnorth, be accepted and the land shown edged red on the plan (Appendix 1 to the report), be registered as a Town Green for the reasons set out in the report.