The Commons Act 2006 aims to protect our common land for current and future generations, and deliver real benefits in terms of sustainable farming, public access, and biodiversity. The Act sets out new, clearer criteria for the registration of town or village greens, giving local communities new opportunities to register valued recreational sites to secure permanent protection.
We estimated that approximately 200 people regularly use the old school fields north of Littlehampton Academy, owned by the council, (i.e. us), and have done so for 50 years or more. Every day approximately 100 people use this land either for dog walking, exercise or for use of the footpath that runs through the field. Removing this field from public use would seriously affect the wellbeing of our community, forcing most users into cars to seek alternative open spaces. It was a requirement of the Act that people have been using the area for over 20 years, which is plain to see we have.
Previously, there had been a lot of concern in our Community about the possibility of a Developer building Houses on the old school fields north of Littlehampton Academy. Add to this a proposed deal between Arun District and the County Council concerning their possible shift from building a Health Centre on the Allotments (North of the 259) to using our field (an exchange of some sort).
We began to put our proposition to the people we met regularly on the field, and held several public meetings. Between us, we printed the Witness Forms and distributed about 120 of them. We received 54 replies (in time for our formal submission).
We submitted an application to have “The Old School Field” registered as a Village Green under section 15(1) of the Commons Act 2006. Latter end of last month the date for objections passed and we received one objection (from a Council Official).
We have now been informed that our Hearing is scheduled for the 18th October 2011 and that Members of the Committee will be tasked with making a decision over our application.
