Park is community asset - it’s official

ONE of Weston’s parks has been successfully listed as a community asset and the town council could soon apply for others to be named as places of value.

Weston Town Council nominated Grove Park as an asset of value which means the land cannot be sold or disposed of, on a long-term lease, without first being offered to the community which could decide to take it on.

The decision to list Grove Park was approved by North Somerset Council directors and town council clerk Malcolm Nicholson said the parish authority will look at other key areas in the town.

He said: “We are not aware of any proposals to sell it off but Grove Park is a very important community asset to the town.

“We decided to take advantage of the legislation and register it as a community asset.

“The idea came up at the latest policy and finance committee meeting and I drew the opportunity, provided by the legislation, to the councillors’ attention and we worked to register some of the key community assets starting with Grove Park.

“Our intention will be to look at other key parks such as Clarence and Ashcombe Park and possibly apply for them to be registered.”

The listing was completed thanks to the Government’s Localism Act of 2011 and the community right to bid scheme.

This initiative gives residents and parish councils the opportunity to identify assets which are important to them. It will also give them time to prepare a proposal if the asset comes up for sale.

Although the park is now listed as a community asset, it will not affect the current proposals from North Somerset to transform Grove Park tennis courts into a games area and car park.