Barrister to look at green plans

Proposals to turn a patch of land in a south Shropshire town into a village green will go before an independent barrister.

The application to register Ashbrook Fields in Church Stretton will now to go the legal expert, who will act as an independent inspector, councillors decided yesterday.

The proposal came under scrutiny during Shropshire Council's area regulatory committee meeting at Ludlow Football Club.

The village green bid was submitted by resident John Hughes who claimed the land has been used for 20 years by residents.

In order for a piece of land to be declared a village green applicants must prove that it has been used by residents to play lawful sports and pastimes and they have continued to do so for a number of years.