MORE than 400 Knowle
villagers have helped a bid to give official protection to three plots of land
used by the public.
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They have given evidence to a
Knowle Society plan to get town green status for the three parcels of land (see
map here).
The land has been used by
villagers for activities like children’s play and dog walking, the society
said.
The three parcels of land are
off the Wychwood
Avenue Knowle Park
It has submitted villagers’
forms – setting out how they use the land – to Solihull Metropolitan Borough
Council. More forms are welcomed, details here.
It hopes they will be
registered as village greens, protecting them from further development.
The application will need to
show the land have used part of the land for at least 20 years for “lawful
purposes” and had a right to do so.
The move has been made
possible after the council dropped long-standing plans for a by-pass through
Knowle, which was to use the land.
But two property companies
own all or part of each parcel, leading to concerns it could be developed for
housing. The council owns the rest.
Society chairman Leighton
Jones said: “Don't expect a speedy conclusion to the process.
“Having reviewed the
submissions the council then has to notify the landowners and allow them time
to respond. Any response will have to be assessed.
“It is possible there might
be some discussions between the landowners, ourselves and the Council that
might avoid a legal battle.
“It is likely that the council
will feel it necessary to engage an outside expert to hold a public hearing
before it is in a position to make the final decision.
“My best estimate of the time
it'll take - 18 months; but don't even count on that. In the meantime please
continue to use the land as you have, to show that we mean business.”
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