Residents rally to save community park from sale

North Cowton residents successfully pushed for their park to be listed as an asset of community value

Residents of a rural North Yorkshire village have successfully campaigned to secure the future of their public park.

A community group started by villagers had its bid approved by North Yorkshire Council to list North Cowton Recreational Grounds as an asset of community value (ACV).

The group of 30 local residents submitted the application after the authority revealed plans to sell part of the park for private gardens.

Member Heather Minto said she was "proud" of what they had achieved and stressed the importance of keeping the green space for the whole village to enjoy.

The park includes a tennis court, play area, football pitch and meadow, and regularly hosts community activities including a weekly village football match.

"We're a small, rural but tightly knit and caring community whose residents, old and young, rely on the park," said Ms Minto.

"It is one of the only social and recreational spaces in our village."

The Protect Our Park North Cowton group submitted the ACV request after learning of the proposed plans through an advertisement in a local newspaper.

They organised meetings, launched a survey and flyered local homes to raise awareness of the potential sale by North Yorkshire Council.

Nearly 100 people responded to the request for feedback, with Ms Minto adding that she was "grateful to all" for sharing how the park was important to them.

Statements from staff at North and South Cowton Community Primary School said the park was often used for PE classes due to the school having limited playground space.

Frances, nine, who helped to deliver leaflets promoting the campaign, said: "The park is the only place in the village that the community can go to hang out and it's also our school playing field."

North Yorkshire Council decided not to proceed with the sale after the responses to the advert were considered, a spokesperson said.

"The land was nominated by Protect Our Park North Cowton as an ACV," they added.

"After it was found to have met the criteria, the land was granted that status for the next five years."

The register recognises buildings or land that "furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community", according to its application criteria.

It means the community is given time to form a bid to buy the land if the owner, North Yorkshire Council, decides to sell.

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