'Guardians' launch campaign to turn site into village green

The future of the land in Oakworth, near Keighley, was thrown into doubt earlier this year with an application for outline planning permission for housing.

The application was withdrawn, but campaigners fear that the land on Windsor Road owned by Bradford Council could still be sold in the future for development.

Keen to preserve the land, which is used for recreational space, residents have formed an action group to have the area declared a village green.

Guardians of Windsor Green are behind the bid to secure the site as a green space.

The group's secretary, Jackie McGinnis, 63, said: "I have lived in the village just about all my life. I have lived in this house for 33 years. In all that time we have had bonfires on that piece of land. It is really only big enough to put a couple of semis on but big enough to be a village green."

Mrs McGinnis said that to a certain extent the land was already being used as a village green where children have picnics, youngsters play football and people walk their dogs.

"I used to take my children there for picnics," she said. "It is well over-looked and they are reasonably safe there – you can keep an eye on them."

Guardians of Windsor Green have set up a group on social networking site Facebook to win support for their ideas.

Members of the group have long-term plans to improve the land if they are successful in their bid to have the site designated as a public open space.

Mrs McGinnis said: "Hopefully we can develop it to be a more landscaped area. I would like to see a fence put across so if children are playing there they cannot run out onto the road because it is a busy road. I think it would be wonderful for the community."

The group also hopes that pensioners living in Windsor Road would benefit if their efforts prove successful.

Mrs McGinnis, a retired civil servant, said: "A lot of people who came to the original meeting were pensioners who were really enthusiastic for it to stay.

"It is quite a big village now and we have Holden Park which is lovely. That is fine for that end of the village but my end of the village there is nothing and I think this village green would be really nice. If we could get it, do a bit of landscaping and put some seats on it, it would be nice for the old people to go out and sit in the sunshine."

If the bid is successful, it is hoped that the village green could be used for community events.

A bid for outline planning permission by Bradford Council for two semi-detached houses on the land caused so much concern that a public meeting was held.

The application was withdrawn but it prompted people to start thinking about the long-term future of the site.

Worth Valley councillor Glen Miller suggested that residents form a steering group and work their way through the process to get the land designated as a public open space or green space.

Coun Miller said: "I am in support of the residents in their fight to have this area designated as a public open space that allows the residents in the area somewhere where they can hold their annual bonfires and their fetes."

The Guardians of Windsor Green are now trying to raise funds to assist their bid.

Anyone who wants to get involved in the campaign can contact Jackie McGinnis on 07672 727269 or email [email protected].