Open Spaces and Floodplain update

Open spaces and Floodplain update

When the Cotford St Luke development was built over 25 years ago, per the usual process with many new developments, all the open spaces and floodplain should have been transferred from the developer to the Local Authority upon completion.  Unfortunately, this never happened as the land owner went into liquidation. Therefore, as no one officially owns it, the land has fallen to Crown Estates, which means it is not maintained, nor is any liability accepted.

Over the last year, the Parish Council Chair and Clerk have instigated talks with Somerset Council regarding the Crown land (and trees) in the Parish, to firstly highlight the challenges this poses and also request that Somerset Council consider its obligation over this land and to the community of Cotford St Luke.

We are very pleased to say that after positive discussions with the head of operations at Somerset Council, with the support from the SC lead member for open spaces and SC ward members, SC have now made contact with Crown Estates to make investigations as to how Somerset Council can progress ownership of this land.

Crown Estates have now engaged with Somerset Council, and discussions are progressing regarding the necessary legal processes, consultations and surveys.  This is just the start, but we hope residents will agree with the Parish Council that this is a positive step for the community.

Somerset Council’s ecology team are carrying out a survey on the floodplain, to identify the existing wildlife and any further opportunities for diversifying, protecting and maintaining this land as a green space asset for the village.

Further updates will follow as information becomes available.

 

Helen McGladdery – Clerk and RFO to Parish Council