Herefordshire Council own a small piece of land which is designated as public open space at Ecroyd Park Credenhill

CPC have obtained funding and wish to provide a playground for local children on the land and have submitted a costed business case under the council’s community asset transfer policy requesting that the freehold in the land is transferred to them.

The land comprises an isolated small plot unsuitable for alternative development and is maintained by the council under the public realm contract

The application is supported by expressions of support from local residents including children who wish the land to be retained and protected for use by the local community and believe this is best achieved by the outright ownership of the land being vested in CPC

Public open space is valued at nominal values for the purposes of asset valuations

The application was considered by the council’s CAT evaluation panel which recommended in principle that the transfer proceed at nominal consideration

A transfer of the land will contain a covenant restricting its future use to public open space and provide for clawback in the event it ceases to be used for such purposes and would be on the basis that the council’s legal and other costs in the matter are paid for by CPC