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We are delighted that our member, the Sunnybank and Woodhall Fields Community Group, in Thornbury, Leeds, has won its application for 1.9 hectares of Sunnybank Lane recreation ground to be registered as a town or village green. This will protect the land for ever and give local people rights of recreation there.
Members of the Woodhall Fields Community Group at the Sunnybank Lane recreation ground.
It was a long fight, in which we gave advice and support to the group. Mr Kulvinder (Kully) Manik applied on behalf of the group to Leeds City Council to register the site in 2019, arguing that, as required, the land had been used for recreation by local people for at least 20 years, without force, secrecy, or permission. The landowner, Bradford Metropolitan District Council (BMDC), objected on the grounds that use had been by permission, and that it conflicted with the statutory use of the land as a recreation ground.
Leeds City Council appointed a barrister, Annabel Graham Paul of Francis Taylor Building, as inspector to determine the case. During this process the inspector recommended, and the applicant agreed, to reduce the amount of land to be registered. A public inquiry was held in May 2026. BMDC maintained its objection but did not attend.
The inspector’s report, which dismissed BMDC’s objections and recommended the land be registered, was issued in June. On 1 October Leeds Council resolved to register the land.
Says Kully Manik: ‘I should like to thank all at the Open Spaces Society for their help. The charity has been an invaluable champion for us all.’
Adds Helen Monger, one of the Open Spaces Society’s case officers: ‘It is great that local inhabitants’ rights are now protected over this much treasured green space. The society was pleased to assist residents in making sure all the legal hurdles were addressed correctly to secure this positive outcome. It will provide a wonderful place to play and relax for this and future generations living and working in Thornbury.’