Council keeps popular site as open space for the Morda community

Shropshire Council has confirmed that the open space land in Glentworth Close, Morda, will not be sold, after consultation with the public, the local town council, and the local parish council.

The consultation received overwhelming responses from residents informing Shropshire Council that their children regularly played there, and it was also a popular location for dog walking.  In the light of this feedback, the council quickly reached the decision to keep the open space notice in place on the land.

Facing a savings target of £80m in the next three years, the council is evaluating properties and spaces it owns.  The land in Morda was part of this, and had been conditionally sold at auction in London on 9 December 2013, but strictly subject to the outcome of the consultation.  The land was provisionally sold as a site for potential residential development.

Robert Tindall, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for assets, said:

“We received a good level of response to the consultation, and it has allowed us to make the right decision over the future of the land for the community.”

Joyce Barrow, local Shropshire Councillor for St Oswald, said:

“I’m very pleased at the outcome.  I was contacted by many residents, and it became very apparent that this was a valued piece of open space to them; many saying how it was an area that children play on regularly.

“The strength of feeling was such that the council will now ensure that the land will be secure for the future use of residents.  We listened to the comments, and have acted in the best interests of the residents.”

Oswestry Rural Parish Council has approached the council about management of the open space.