Village Green

February 2011

Solicitors for the Community Council and for Monmouthshire County Council are currently working on a draft document which it is hoped will resolve issues surrounding the Village Green applicaion.  This is a complicated document, and in order for it to be absolutely watertight, and something that meets the needs of all parties it is taking some time to produce.  The Community Council have been advised that the earliest date that the draft version will be available will be the end of March. We will keep you updated.

Please note that the Village Green application has not been withdrawn, it has simply been placed on hold until such time that the draft document is available for the Community Council and other interested parties  to consider.

January 2011  

Magor with Undy Community Council hosted a meeting at Magor Church Centre on Monday 24th January with members of Monmouthshire County Council, Magor Church in Wales, parents and residents.

At the meeting the application for Village Green status on the Magor Playing Field, which has been submitted by Magor with Undy Community Council was discussed. It was a really positive meeting which allowed all parties with an interest to outline their issues and concerns. Legal representative were on hand to clarify points of law.

Cllr Mrs Donna James, Chair of the Magor with Undy Community Council said, “The Community Council are concerned that Green space is very scarce within our Community, and feel they have a duty of care to ensure that Green Space is maintained.”

The Community Council had already opened discussions with Monmouthshire County Council in November 2010 as to possible alternative solutions to Village Green status, whereby the Playing Field would be protected from future development and the school and public would continue to use the field for lawful sports and past-times. 

Cllr James said, “We value the opinions of all our residents, and pride ourselves on working closely with them. We felt that the meeting would be beneficial to all interested parties, and therefore offered to host the meeting, in order for everyone’s opinions and views to be heard.”

The consultation period for the Village Green application closed in August 2010. However, Magor with Undy Community Council have been actively listening to issues raised by those, for and against the Village Green application, over the last few months.

At the meeting on the 24thJanuary, it was agreed that a legal document be drafted, that would ensure that no future development could take place on the playing field and that the current usage would continue for the public, School and local organisations. This document would then be considered by the Community Council, County Council and Magor Church in Wales School.

December 2010:     2009/2010 has seen much controversy over the Sycamore Playing Field which has been used by all for many years as a designated open space.

In 1975 the land was purchased by Monmouth County Council from the former Magor & St Mellons RDC as part of the Magor & Undy development scheme, which included the provision of a rugby pitch/community amenity field, and for use by the proposed new Magor CiW School.

The playing field has been used, ‘as right’ before, and since this date for public use, for schools, local organisations and individuals for lawful sports and pastimes.

Following the recent development of what was a ‘temporary’ car park, into a permanent hard standing play area for the Magor CiW School, the Community Council applied for Village Green status in order to retain and protect the amenity land for present and future generations. Village Green status ensures that the area remains in public use for always.   A Village Green can include ‘hard-standing’ areas as well as ‘green’ areas. Should Village Green status be granted, this does not mean that the current hard-standing area would have to be removed. It would be a valuable asset for use by all outside of school hours.

There appears to be a lot of mis-understanding, and mis-interpretation of what a Village Green is.   Nothing needs to change as to the current situation in relation to users. Ownership does not change, and maintenance/up-keep/health and safety etc remains the responsibility of the owner (Monmouthshire County Council). Current usage of the playing field does not change, and current arrangements for Risk Management and Health & Safety would still apply. The school as a current user, will still have a right to use it for lawful sports and pastimes (as they do now) ie sports days, after school clubs etc, and the public as a current users, similarly will still have a right to use it for lawful sports and pastimes (as they do now). Green areas are very scarce within our communities. As the largest green area within Magor, Village Green status would protect it for all to enjoy.

If Village Green status is granted, the only change will be that the owners (currently Mon CC) will be unable to develop the land. Whilst the County Council do not have any present plans to develop this playing field, the Community Council wishes to ensure that this does not change at some time in the future. Village Green status will prevent any plans to develop for centuries to come.

The Community Council recognise that ‘play’ is an essential part of a child’s development, and acknowledge the fact, that the Magor CiW School have full use of the area during school hours/term time. 

As green areas are very scarce within our communities we wish to protect the areas that we do have for all to enjoy for our present and future generations of children to play on. 

There has never been any intention to restrict usage of the Playing Field to anyone. 

The Community Council’s aim is to simply ensure that the Playing Fields’ current usage continues in perpetuity.

November 2010: Following concerns raised by several residents, the Community Councillors have actively been looking at the options available with regards to the Sycamore Terrace Amenity Playing Field.

Talks have taken place with the Monmouthshire County Council legal department and with the Community Council's own legal advisor and as a result, a joint meeting is to be held to discuss issues and concerns raised by residents and parents.

We will update you of any further developments as and when they happen

Cllr Mrs Donna James 

February 2010: The Community Council have applied for Village Green status for the Sycamore Community Amenity Field.

The Community has used the field as a "right" for more than 20 years.  Many activities have taken place on it, and all inhabitants have enjoyed have enjoyed unlimited access.

The recent application to provide a locked hard surface play area for exclusive use of the school has significantly reduced the area available for public use.

The Community Council are seeking to retain and protect this area of public amenity land for present and future generations, and it is for those reasons that the application for Village Green status has been made.

"Village Green" - What does it mean?

  • Village Green status on an area ensures that the area remains in public use for always
  • The land will be open for all for public use
  • Schools, local organisations and individuals will be entitled to use the field for any lawful sports and pastimes
  • It will be illegal to carry out any development that prevents the continuing use of the green