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We’re delighted to have won a new town green in Swaffham, Norfolk. The land is to the east of the town between Norwich Road and North Pickenham Road.
The new town green at Swaffham. Photo: Phil Wadey
The society negotiated the registration of the green within BDW Trading Ltd’s development in exchange for withdrawing its objection to the diversion of a footpath across the site. The society’s objection to the path diversion in 2021 would have delayed the development of 185 dwellings. Planning permission for the development was granted in 2020 but it could not proceed while there was a footpath crossing the site.
To expedite matters, BDW Trading agreed in 2022 to the society’s request to dedicate 1.5 hectares of land as a town green, ensuring that it is protected for ever, and that local people have rights of recreation there. It also agreed that the diverted path would be five metres wide, of which two metres would be tarmacked to provide a cycle track, thus affording greater utility.
The registration of the green was confirmed in October this year.
Says Phil Wadey, our chairman: ‘This deal, which was negotiated by our local correspondent Ian Witham, is a fine example of what can be achieved on development sites. The registration of open space as a town green secures it for ever, for the use and enjoyment by local residents.
‘We want to see many more developers voluntarily registering open space as town or village green, so that it will endure. Otherwise, such spaces can too easily be lost to further development, or fall into neglect.
‘We thank BDW Trading for being willing to come to an agreement. We shall continue to campaign for developers and other landowners to dedicate town and village greens throughout England and Wales, for the benefit of all,’ Phil concludes.