North Yorkshire village green given protected community status

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

A North Yorkshire village green with no registered owner has been granted protected community status after nearly 60 years of local maintenance.

The village green at Great Broughton, near Stokesley, has been designated an asset of community value following an application by Great and Little Broughton Parish Council. The land has no registered owner and is not registered with HM Land Registry, meaning its legal ownership cannot currently be verified.

The parish council has maintained and managed the green, which occupies a prominent position on High Street, since around 1968. In its application, the council described the land as an important community space which has been used by generations of villagers, stating: 'The land is regularly used and appreciated by members and groups of the local community.'

The application highlighted the green's role as a meeting place for residents and visitors, as well as its use for Christmas celebrations, lantern parades, carol singing and community litter-picking events. The council also described the green as an 'invaluable waiting area for students who are using local schools' transport'. The site provides seating, noticeboards, historical information displays and the village bus stop. The parish council noted that the historical information board 'provides a fascinating historical perspective to our village for residents and visitors'.

The decision comes despite the green already benefiting from planning protections, including its designation as local green space. The parish council has plans to further enhance the site with additional seating, bulb planting and wildlife boxes.

How it is being reported

• Village green with mystery owner given protected status after nearly 60 yearsA North Yorkshire village green which has no registered owner has been granted protected community status after being maintained by local residents for almost 60 years.Darlington & Stockton Times · 9 Oct, 14:30
• Village green with mystery owner given protected status after nearly 60 yearsA North Yorkshire village green which has no registered owner has been granted protected community status after being maintained by local residents for almost 60 years.The Northern Echo · 9 Oct, 14:30

In this story: Great Broughton · Stokesley · North Yorkshire Council · Great and Little Broughton Parish Council · HM Land Registry

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