Peoples Park Press Release by Derek Wells - 17th April 2009
The report has been received from the Inspector, Mr Simpson who conducted the Inquiry last September, into the registration of Peoples Park as a Town or Village Green.
The report states that although there has been widespread and continuous use of the application site by a substantial number of inhabitants of the locality of Sudbury for lawful sports and pastimes, the application should be refused on the grounds that the user was not ‘as of right’ throughout the relevant twenty year period in question.
This report now goes forward to the Suffolk County Council who will make their decision as to whether or not to follow the advice of the Inspector.
This is very disappointing news for the town, the residents of Sudbury and the local area, who on this evidence are likely to lose yet another invaluable public open space. On behalf of the Peoples Park Preservation Association Committee, may I take this opportunity to thank all those who so generously supported our campaign financially and those who signed the petition which produced in excess of one thousand signatures to ‘Save Peoples Park’. Special thanks to the seventeen people who gave evidence at the Inquiry and to Bates, Wells and Braithwaite for their legal support.
Even now, all is not lost. When the Sudbury Common Land Trust sold the land back in 1987 it was for the specific purpose for building a much needed hospital in the area. Assuming that the Suffolk County Council accept the Inspectors report planning permission will have to be applied for if more house are to be built on what is left of Peoples Park. This will provide another opportunity for the residents of Sudbury to oppose any development of the site for such purposes.
We might have lost the ‘battle’ over the registration of Peoples Park as a Village or Town Green, but the ‘war’ could continue if planning permission is of the sort which would affect the environmental and recreational status of our town.
Derek Wells
Chairman
Peoples Park Preservation Association Committee
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