Residents support village green bid (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)
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Parish Councillor John Foster and residents support village green bid for Jersey Farm space
11:05am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News
By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter
John Foster and other local residents campaign to get Jersey Farm space turned into village green
A green space in Jersey Farm could be turned into a village green in a bid to protect it from development.
Residents are being asked to share their views on the site, which runs along House Lane, to support Sandridge Parish Council’s application to give it official status.
Parish Councillor John Foster said: "It will give it a degree of protection.
"I’m a defender of the Green Belt and the way that planning laws are now means that nothing is safe.
"I value the fact that we have this green space in our parish so we want to do this sooner rather than later."
So far more than 130 people have filled out the forms listing what they use the area for.
Councillor Foster added: "There is an overwhelming census that this will be helpful.
"We hope to get many more so that we will have a sense of how the community view it and to give us confidence to submit an application.
"The more forms that are completed and returned the better chance there will be to get our green space designated as a village green not only for present day recreational pleasure but also for our future generations to enjoy."
The Commons Act 2006 states that the council must prove certain criteria in order for the status to be granted.
This includes proving that the site has been used by a significant number of people for at least 20 years.
Councillor Foster added: "The space isn’t just used by residents who back on to it. People from Marshalswick and St Albans come.
"These days with urban sprawl people don’t realise the value of somewhere where you can sit quietly.
"It adds to your perception of well being. It is just a lovely space to walk.
"This isn’t a nimbyism issue.
"I do realise that there is more demand for housing and I’m not against more homes being built.
"But when you are planning estates and developments you have to be mindful the people need to be able to go out walking in the sunshine.
"We value the little green space we have left."
Copies of the form are available in Marshalswick Library in The Ridgeway.
