See updates at foot of story ...
Llangollen Community Garden is to remain in the ownership of Denbighshire County Council, securing its future as a community asset.
The council’s Asset Management Group has decided to retain the site in council ownership.
Denbighshire had previously considered disposing of the site, but after working with the local community, has decided to retain the land.
A council spokesperson said: “In light of the views expressed by the community, we decided the best course of action is to retain the site and work with the Llangollen Community Garden group and Llangollen Town Council to secure the site for community use now and in the future.”
Llangollen Community Garden is located close to Plas Newydd and was established in 2012.
Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms (pictured) said: “I am delighted that the future of the Llangollen Community Garden has been secured on its current site. The decision by Denbighshire's Assets Committee to retain the land in council ownership means that the community garden will be able to continue to develop the land that they have occupied for the last 6 years. A new deal between the group and the County Council will enable them to have a much more secure future with a longer lease on the site.”
Reader Mike Edwards comments: "I would like to point out that Officer who you quoted is being disingenuous with his comments. The land in question was acquired by Denbighshire CC with the benefit of a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant to protect Plas Newydd from residential development on its boundaries. The Council in 1998 commissioned a report from Nicholas Pearson Associates, Specialist Landscape Consultants in support of their grant application who described it is “as part of the Plas Newydd’s essential setting which should be protected from residential development”.
Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms (pictured) said: “I am delighted that the future of the Llangollen Community Garden has been secured on its current site. The decision by Denbighshire's Assets Committee to retain the land in council ownership means that the community garden will be able to continue to develop the land that they have occupied for the last 6 years. A new deal between the group and the County Council will enable them to have a much more secure future with a longer lease on the site.”
“I'm also pleased that the currently derelict Weaver's Cottage, also on the site, will be preserved and hopefully brought back to its former glory, celebrating the history of the building. Although there are no plans yet to renovate the cottage its best chance of survival for the future is to continue to be in the council's ownership. A long term future for the site could see it linked to the adjacent Plas Newydd, providing an extra attraction for visitors to the house and gardens.”
Reader Mike Edwards comments: "I would like to point out that Officer who you quoted is being disingenuous with his comments. The land in question was acquired by Denbighshire CC with the benefit of a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant to protect Plas Newydd from residential development on its boundaries. The Council in 1998 commissioned a report from Nicholas Pearson Associates, Specialist Landscape Consultants in support of their grant application who described it is “as part of the Plas Newydd’s essential setting which should be protected from residential development”.
"The Council’s spokesman has failed to make it clear that under the terms of the grant the Local Authority are in fact unable to dispose of the land as they proposed late last year. So it is misleading to imply the Denbighshire CC are now doing the Community a favour by allowing it to remain as a Community Garden."
No comments:
Post a Comment