by Ray George
Our village green is no more. Those who have not lived here a long time will have no idea what this is all about. Over the years, this has been chronicled in our Newsletter. See www.herbertcollins.co.uk/2007/10/19/update-on-transit-site-2/ for the first mention of “Village Green”. The land in question is the field on the east side of Stoneham Way between the Junction 5 roundabout and the railway arch. The final step in this saga was only recently brought to my attention. On the 17th April 2019 the Regulatory Committee of Hampshire County Council refused to grant “Village Green” status to the part lying within the County’s jurisdiction. This follows a non-statuary public enquiry on 5th and 6th February 2018. The inspector concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the registration as a village green. What about the part within the City boundary? No time limit is imposed by law, and the Council has failed to progress the application. But no doubt, the same evidence would also be inadequate. The applicant, Janet Ticehurst died in February this year.