Ownership of field transferred to town council

Fletton Field is located behind homes off Glapthorn Road, between Oundle School chapel and Abbott House care home

The ownership of a field located on former school land has transferred to a town council.

It means Fletton Field in Oundle, Northamptonshire, will remain as public open space for residents.

The future of the site had been uncertain since the land was released by the Department for Education, having been used by Oundle Primary School until it was relocated to Cotterstock Road in 2016.

Fletton Field, accessed off Glapthorn Road, was transferred from North Northamptonshire Council to Oundle Town Council after a community asset transfer application.

Matt Binley, executive of highways, travel and assets at North Northamptonshire Council, said: "I am grateful we have reached this point and are able to transfer this fantastic open space over to Oundle Town Council.

"Open spaces like this are valuable assets to communities and residents, and it is vital that we preserve them in any way we can.

"In this case that means that Oundle Town Council have taken over ownership and going forward will continue to work with local partners and volunteer groups to develop the site for generations to come."

Ian Clark, the mayor of Oundle, said: "We will continue to work with the Fletton Field Association to ensure the open space keeps benefitting the health and wellbeing of Oundle residents, including a community orchard, and will make sure we grasp the opportunity to improve local biodiversity."