Injunction could be enforced after diggers pictured on Shrewsbury community land in £550,000 sale row
An injunction could be enforced to stop work being carried out after diggers moved in on community land in Shrewsbury at the centre of a £550,000 wrongful sale.
Construction vehicles were pictured at part of Greenfields Recreation Ground, which has been the centre of a legal dispute after Shrewsbury Town Council sold it to a housing developer in 2017.
Greenfields Community Group campaigners got involved in a tug of war over the land, a dispute which is due to end up in the Supreme Court this December.
After an independent report found that legally the land should have been designated for community use, the council "unreservedly" apologised to group members in June. The authority vowed to return the land as well as look at its own policies and processes.
This week, council leader Alan Mosley told campaigners in a meeting that the council had been advised "unequivocally" by a planning barrister not to get involved in mediation or discussion with the current landowner, CSE Developments, until after the Supreme Court hearing.
But a day later, pictures were taken of diggers at the site, sparking concern among campaigners.
Dr Peter Day, who has led the campaign, said: "We have been asked to document it at the moment. Our legal team has written to the developer's legal team to ask what is happening. If there is work being done at the site, there needs to be an injuction."
In Monday's meeting, Mr Mosley said: "A comprehensive evaluation has been undertaken and assessment of land values provided. We sought and have received legal advice from a planning barrister on a number of issues with a report to be provided under exempt items.
"However, he gave unequivocal advice that no mediation or discussion with the landowner should take place until after the publication and careful evaluation of the Supreme Court's outcome."
Campaigners in attendance were frustrated to hear the update, and suggested the land value would continue to rise, meaning it will cost the council more money to buy it back.
The issue will next be discussed in public and an update will be provided at the next full council meeting on Monday, November 14.
