13/06/2012 - Permalink

Work now underway for Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge

Related topics: Community

Work is now underway to designate 23 sites as Queen Elizabeth II Fields. 

Following approval by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet in April 2012, the sites have been nominated as part of a national campaign to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics in 2012.

So far Shropshire Council is one of the top councils to have put forward the highest number of sites to support the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge campaign which has been launched to dedicate 2,012 recreational open spaces as Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields by 2012.

The flagship campaign is managed by Fields In Trust, an independent charity that works to protect and improve playing fields, and is led by the charity’s patron, HRH Prince William.  The campaign aims to protect 2012 outdoor recreational spaces in communities all across the country as a permanent living legacy of these landmark occasions.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for parks and open spaces, said:

“Shropshire Council recognises the vital importance of Greenspaces, which bring health, social and physical benefits to people of all ages.  By designating the sites we are protecting them for our local communities to enjoy, and for future generations.

“This is a great opportunity for us to recognise and build a legacy from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games.  Fields In Trust have visited our 23 nominated sites and are really impressed with what they’ve seen so far.”

Sites include:

  • Fishmore View Play Area, Ludlow
  • Gatacre Recreation Ground, Oswestry
  • Lodge Lane Park, Bridgnorth
  • Llwyn Coppice and Playing Field, Oswestry
  • Trefonen Playing Fields, Trefonen
  • Abney Avenue Park, Albrighton
  • Lyth Hill Country Park, Bayston Hill
  • Broadlands Way Open Space, Oswestry (including Eaton Field and Pond and the Noise Protection Zone)
  • Brynhafod Recreation Ground, Oswestry
  • Market Drayton Picnic Area, Market Drayton
  • Bridge Inn Field, Ruyton-XI-Towns
  • Porthywaen Playing Fields
  • Wilfred Owen Green, Oswestry
  • Birchmeadow Park, Broseley
  • Railway Walk, Much Wenlock

The deeds for each of the 23 sites are currently been drawn up by the Fields In Trust legal department, and it’s anticipated that all sites should be designated by July 2012.  Once designated, plaques provided by Fields in Trust will be installed at each site.  Community events are currently being organised to mark the celebrations.  For more information about the campaign call Amy Davies, Shropshire Council’s greenspace development officer, on 01743 255912.

Further information

Councils throughout the country have been asked to support the scheme by nominating their own land and also supporting town and parish councils and other providers to nominate their land.

The selection of sites to be nominated has been given careful consideration to ensure that the sites meet the QE II Fields criteria and are not likely to be made available for future housing or commercial development.  Once dedicated, they cannot be used for other purposes unless replaced with other suitable land of equal area.

Shropshire Council-owned open spaces as Queen Elizabeth II Fields will secure their use as public recreational spaces for use such as sport, play, exercise and community events.

Other remaining sites

The following sites are owned by Shropshire Council but have third party interest.  Some sites are leased and others are jointly managed:

Curriers Lane Play Area, Shifnal – Leased to Shifnal Town Council who have requested the site is designated (not including area leased to dental practice).

Jubilee Play Area, Dyas Close, Shifnal – Leased to Shifnal Town Council who has requested the site is designated.

Wheatfield Recreation Ground, Shifnal – A small proportion of this site is owned by Shropshire Council, with the larger portion of the site being owned by Shifnal Town Council.  The entire site will be dedicated as part of a joint application.

Whitchurch Waterways Country Park, Whitchurch – The Wildlife Trust manage part of this site for Shropshire Council.  They have agreed to the nomination.

Lyth Wood and the Stanley Parker Playing Fields – These are two adjoining sites, Lyth Wood owned by Shropshire Council and the Playing Fields owned by Bayston Hill Parish Council.  The sites will be nominated as one whole site as part of a joint application.

Cleobury Mortimer open space – This site is owned by Shropshire Council but is managed through the Lacon Childe School.  The school, including its governors, have agreed for the site to be nominated with a possibility of the site then being transferred to the parish council.  All parties have agreed to the nomination.

Caradoc view play area, Hanwood – Owned by Shropshire Council and leased to Hanwood Parish Council.  The parish council requested the nomination.

Claverley School Field – Owned by Shropshire Council and managed through Claverley Primary School and Claverley Parish Council through a joint use agreement.  The governors of the school and Claverley Parish Council requested the nomination of the site.

Sites mentioned above which will be involved in a joint application include:

  • Much Wenlock Railway walk and Gaskell Recreation Ground. The three parties involved in the Deed for this site are; Fields In Trust, Shropshire Council, Much Wenlock Town Council.
  • Lyth Wood and Stanley Parker Playing Field – The three parties involved in the Deed for this site are: Fields In Trust, Shropshire Council, Bayston Hill Parish Council.
  • Wheatfield Recreation Ground, Shifnal – The three parties involved in the Deed for this site are: Fields In Trust, Shropshire Council, Shifnal Town Council. 

We are jointly working on the following sites as they are either leased or have active management committees:

  • Curriers Lane, Shifnal – Shifnal Town Council lease this from us
  • Wheatfield Rec Ground, Shifnal – owned by Shifnal Town Council – we own part of the site which they lease and so this is a joint dedication
  • Stanley Parker Playing Fields – leased by Bayston Hill Parish Council.  We own Lyth Wood which is attached to the site so this would be a joint designation
  • Caradoc View play area – leased by Hanwood Parish Council. 

The list of nominated sites is based on consultation carried out with ward councillors during September and October 2011 who put forward the final list of sites.

The Queen Elizabeth II Field dedication protects the land in perpetuity, or at least for 99 years, to ensure that the land remains available for recreational.  Once dedicated, they cannot be used for other purposes unless replaced with other suitable land of equal area.