Village Meeting – Green Lane land

The village meeting called by the Parish Council to consider if the village should tender a bid to purchase the Land off Green lane for the village, which has recently been put up for sale by the owner, was well attended by residents

Chairperson Heather Jones and Councillor Geoff Seddon provided an introductory presentation which outlined the opportunity for the village and the potential costs, sadly marred slightly by the audio / visual presentation system. Both had clearly done a good deal of research prior to the meeting., so did a sterling job in overcoming this.

Councillor Jones started by making it clear that APC was well aware of the strength of feeling from Traders , The Tourist group and residents that parking was a major issue for the village. She went on to clarify that utilising part of the existing playing field was not possible under the terms of the Lease agreement currently nearing completion.

She further suggested that purchase of the land for the village provided opportunities to retain the land for future generations for parking, herb gardens, wild flower meadows, outdoor gym, conservation area or grazing.

The land is for sale by informal Tender for 11.55 acres at a guide price of £100,000 – £130,000 with an overage clause of 30% should the land subsequently be developed.

Given the short time that was available the Parish Council had focussed its attention on sourcing funding from the Government Public Works Loan Board, which can agree loans within a two week period for local Government projects Councillor Seddon went on to explain the options for a range of funding level from £150,000 to £250, 000 over 30/40 years which would typically increase the annual precept of some 25% per year for a Band D property with a current £42 levy. In addition set up and ground works costs might increase the loan needed to perhaps £300,000. It must be remembered that that Audlem Parish precept is a small fraction of our overall Council tax which this year is £2066 for a band D property.

Other routes to funding such a purchase were outlined including crowd funding on websites such as JustGiving , Sponsorship, and joint funding with possible local developers.

The meeting was then open to public question and answers. This centred around the ongoing parking issue but it was agreed the meeting should focus on a decision as to whether the land should be purchased for the village with deatils of funding options and land usage to follow.

A questionnaire was distributed which precept payers were requested to return to Williams the newsagents or the Post Office before an Extraordinary Parish Council on Monday evening to decide the way forward.

A show of hands was requested which gave an almost unanimous vote in favour of acquiring the land for the village.

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