VILLAGERS opposed to the sale of a piece of land hope to register it as a village green to protect it for future generations.

Royston Crow: Villages want to get land near Windmill close registered as a village green. Land is owned by NHDC and is currently up for sale. Pictured is Graham Swann, Laura Childs and Nick Dear on the village greenVillages want to get land near Windmill close registered as a village green. Land is owned by NHDC and is currently up for sale. Pictured is Graham Swann, Laura Childs and Nick Dear on the village green (Image: Archant)

The land behind Windmill Close in Barkway has been put on the market by its owner, North Herts District Council. Residents fear it will fall into the hands of developers and be used for housing.

A meeting took place at Windmill Close on Saturday, where residents were asked to complete statement forms confirming the use of the land as a recreation area. It is hoped an application for village green status will be submitted next week.

Nick Dear, who lives in Windmill Close, is one of those involved in the campaign.

He said: “The section of land has been used by the residents and visitors of the area for the past 20 or 30 years as a community and recreation area.

“Children can play out there and their parents can see them from their kitchen windows and know they’re safe. We want to protect this area for future generations to enjoy and prevent another piece of green space and village life being developed for profit.”

Residents have already presented a petition and letters of objection to the sale of the land to North Herts District Council. Barkway Parish Council has also objected to the sale.

Cllr Terry Hone, the district council’s portfolio holder for finance and IT said: “A number of sites owned by the council have been identified as having the potential to be sold.

“These sites are currently going through the council’s consultation process, the recommendations of which are expected to be reported back to Cabinet in the coming months. The views of the villagers of Barkway parish will be included in that report and will be given consideration.”

Villagers who have any photographs of the land being used for recreation or sport from 1990 onwards, or would like to help by completing a statement form, should contact Graham Swann or Laura Childs via windmillclose@gmail.com or by telephoning 07850 087069.