An 11-year-old boy from Winsley addressed councillors in Trowbridge County Hall to protect the playing field he has used since he was a toddler.

After hearing the passionate testimonies of nearby residents, Wiltshire Council’s western area planning committee voted to approve the application to register the land as a village green.

Northfield Playing Field, located on the Tyning estate, was presumed to be owned by the village for many years before it was sold at public auction for £66,500 in 2021.

The land, which had reportedly been used as a play area for decades, was subsequently fenced off to prevent public access.

After facing local dismay, the new owner, BK Land and Estates (BKLE), suggested that residents should each contribute £82.78 a head to fund their “exclusive” offer to sell the play area to the community for £75,000.

Duncan and his father, Ian Sparrowhawk, outside Trowbridge County Hall.Duncan and his father, Ian Sparrowhawk, outside Trowbridge County Hall. (Image: Jessica Moriarty)
Winsley Parish Council was able to offer just £17,500, a sum that was not accepted by BKLE directors, Murali Bandaru and Prabhakar Bandaru.

Murali Bandaru was present at the meeting on Wednesday, June 5, to object to the plans to register his land as a village green.

He suggested it would be “wasting public funds” for Wiltshire Council to allow the application.

Duncan Sparrowhawk, 11, said: “My brother and I loved playing football with our friends using the rusty goalpost.

“When it finally broke, we wrote to the parish council asking if it could be replaced. They provided two and we were over the moon.

“They were used every day by us and lots of other children until the land was closed off.”

He added: “I fear that if Northfields is ignored and not looked after, future generations of children just like me will not be able to play games, keep fit and have fun.”

Mr Bandaru also noted that he stood by his initial objection, which called into question the witness statements and noted that the previous owner was not aware they owned the land until 2020.

However, the representations of support vastly outnumbered the two objections, and the committee heard from over 150 statements that the land had been used by the community for over 50 years.

Local member Cllr Johnny Kidney explained that the land had been maintained by the parish council and that the application to register it as a village green was put in before it was purchased by Mr Bandaru, who was aware of the community’s bid to protect it.

He said: “For generations, families have gathered at the playing field to play, socialise, and relax.

“Children’s birthday parties have been held there, picnics have been held there, and more recently, during the pandemic, the playing field was an absolute lifeline for young families on the estate.”
 
The case officer for the application reiterated that the evidence of whether a significant number of inhabitants have “indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the land for a period of at least 20 years” was in dispute due to the two objections lodged against the application.

Therefore, they recommended that a non-statutory public inquiry be carried out by an independent inspector.

Despite this, the majority of the committee decided that the evidence presented to them during the meeting was enough to justify approving the application.

After the meeting, Duncan was congratulated on his speech, and his father, Ian Sparrowhawk, welcomed the committee’s vote.

He said: “Very pleased with the decision, it has been a long time, and lots of the residents have been really missing the use of that land because it’s the only green space in the whole of the Tyning estate.”

Mr Bandaru was approached for further comment.