Tensions mount over Beaconsfield land

6:26pm Friday 4th July 2008

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THE ROW over a patch of Beaconsfield land continued last night when the town council met to discuss a letter from a group of angry residents.

The plot in question is a patch of open space at the rear of One Tree Lane, Beaconsfield.

Beaconsfield Town Council have put the plot up for sale on the open market.

However, married couple Kate and Tom Murphy, who live in One Tree Lane, formed a group called MAPLe to oppose the sale. They claim it will lead to development and a loss of public open space.

The group sent a letter to the council urging them to take steps to designate the land as a town or village green - ensuring that no development would take place.

Last night Beaconsfield Town Council met to discuss the matter, with MAPLe members present.

At the outset of the meeting, Mrs Murphy, a lawyer, said that if the council did not take steps to declare the land a protected green, she would.

Cllr Alan Walters said that a "significant number" of residents use the land for sports and recreation, so there was a valid argument for turning it into a green.

He said: "I think we have to look at this very seriously.

"If the council doesn't do this it's up to the members of the public and they can go ahead and do it."

However, some councillors objected on the grounds that the process of designating the land a green is costly.

Another objection is that the area is protected from development as it has been designated as a "green space".

As such, Cllr Steve jones argued that turning it into a village green would provide little extra protection, and would only eat up council funds.

Beaconsfield's Mayor Henry Wilson confirmed that the council had received offers for the land, but was unable to say how much, or how many bids.

Councillors agreed to refer the matter to a planning sub-committee for examination, and decided to seek further legal advice.