Village green granted protected community status

A village green with no registered owner has been granted protected community status.

The land at Great Broughton, near Stokesley, has been maintained and managed by the parish council since the late 1960s.

A report by North Yorkshire Council revealed it is not registered with HM Land Registry, meaning its legal ownership cannot currently be verified.

Designating the area on the High Street as an asset of community value means villagers would be given the opportunity to buy the land if any future owner sought to sell it.

It would not prevent a sale or give villagers an automatic right to buy the green, but would provide up to six months for a community group to prepare a bid.

In its assessment, North Yorkshire Council concluded the green makes a valuable contribution to village life.

The report stated: "The evidence demonstrates that the nominated land continues to serve a meaningful community function within Great Broughton."

In its application, the parish council described the land as an important community space which has been used by generations of villagers.

"The land is regularly used and appreciated by members and groups of the local community," it stated.

The application highlighted the green's role as a meeting place for residents and visitors, as well as its use for Christmas celebrations, lantern parades, carol singing and community litter-picking events, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It also provides seating, noticeboards, historical information displays and the village bus stop.

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