Burley village green campaigners celebrate victory (From Ilkley Gazette)

Burley village green campaigners celebrate victory

9:10am Thursday 9th July 2009

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Campaigners are celebrating finally winning village green status for the heart of Burley-in-Wharfedale – after a ten-year fight.

A third public inquiry into Burley Community Council’s long-running bid to have Burley House Field declared an official village green was held in April.

The inspector, Vivian Chapman QC, acknowledged at the time that there were “some difficult legal issues” to resolve, but has now come down in favour of the campaigners.

In his 37-page report, which considers written evidence prov-ided over all three public hear-ings, legal precedents and witness statements given in April, Mr Chapman concludes that villagers have used the field “as of right” over the years.

His ruling means that Bradford Council – which took over ownership of the land from Ilkley Urban District Council in 1974 – is now required to register it as a village green and hand the site to Burley Parish Council.

For community council vice-chairman John Gundry, the decision marks a triumphant end to more than a decade’s work.

He said: “We are overjoyed at this conclusion after more than ten years’ battle – this was to have been our Millennium project – and we hope that the Bradford Council officers concerned will quickly get the necessary members’ approval and pass the field over to the parish council.

“The community council will now back out of the matter with the hope that the parish council will find the funds to strengthen the footpaths, which are very muddy near the entrances, improve the central bridge – at present an old metal door laid flat – and do something to remove the thistles and nettles obstructing much of the pasture.

“There are some magnificent trees within the field which have been neglected and which need tending to. We hope for some new tree and bush planting to improve the country park setting of Burley House.

“Some expert advice will be needed on this and also on the proper treatment required for the two ha-has (a sunken wall or fence-type garden feature) and the ancient pump known to be in the field, and any archaeological remains as yet uncovered.

“Any financial contributions would be gratefully received as well as views from the village on what else needs doing, or for desirable uses for all or parts of the field,” said Mr Gundry.

All that is left now is for Bradford Council’s Miscellaneous Licences Panel to agree to make the inspector’s recommendation formal, something Coun Matt Palmer (Con, Wharfedale) is confi-dent will happen.

He said: “This is excellent news after a very long haul and all credit to John Gundry for an excellent, hard fight continued over many years. It’s a classic example of what someone’s hard work and expertise can do for the village. I am looking forward to it coming before the panel at Bradford and am optimistic the final result will be in line with the inspector’s recommendations.

“I look forward to working with the parish council on its plans for the green and discussing with them how best it can benefit the people of the village.”

Community Council chairman Bruce Speed said: “It bears repeating that John Gundry has been the driving force behind this. He kept it alive, put in most of the hard work and worked so closely with our barrister, which is why we were so well prepared at the last inquiry.

“Looking through the inspector’s report there really aren’t any grounds for an appeal. That ought to mean Bradford Council will concede defeat and get on with registering this land as a village green.”

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