A town council has written to its MP over concerns of green space being sold off.
Dereham Town Council has written an open letter to George Freeman, the MP for Mid Norfolk, asking him to question Breckland Council why pieces of ‘designated open spaces’ have been included in the Breckland Bridge business plan.
The town council states that it is not opposed to the Breckland Bridge plan, or that land is being developed or disposed of.
The council expressed extreme concern with local green spaces being included “for future activity” by Breckland Bridge - a collaboration between Breckland and private developers The Land Group.
Breckland councillors for the Withburga Ward, Harry Clarke and Ray O’Callaghan, said: “Dereham as a whole has a shortage of open space, and we welcome this letter from the council, seeking our MP's support to write to Breckland Council to keep all the sites in Dereham as public spaces.
“I know that hundreds of local residents would welcome the removal of these sites from the business plan and remove their understandable anxiety."
Paul Hewett, executive member for property, projects and procurement at Breckland Council, said: “The Breckland Bridge partnership continues to assist the council in reviewing a wide range of property including land in the council’s ownership, giving consideration to all uses, including continuing with existing use, with a clear aim of securing the best value for our residents.
“Every local authority has a continuing duty to ensure its property interests, including land, fulfill the requirements of the council’s objectives, whether that is for direct use in the delivery of council services, i.e., car parking and amenity space, or commercial and any alternative use that may return a better value for our residents.
“The inclusion of any property sites in the Breckland Bridge business plan does not determine their future.
"A full process of engagement and consultation with stakeholders including the relevant town or parish council will occur on a site-by-site basis as and when required.”
Mr Freeman was contacted for comment.
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