Shropshire villagers fighting for 'last remaining open space' hit out at 'cynical' diocese and launch petition

The diocese recently fenced off the land, to the “horror” of residents, and a spokesman for its board of finance told the Shropshire Star it was “forced” to do so to protect its interests after two unspecified “events”.

The church district also suggested it was done due to Bayston Hill Parish Council not being prepared to renew the lease on the land, a claim which the authority refutes.

“Any suggestion that Bayston Hill Parish Council is responsible for the Glebelands being fenced off by the diocese because they were not prepared to renew the lease is incorrect,” a spokeswoman for the authority said.

The land was subject of a planning application last year, which was withdrawn within a couple of months after a groundswell of opposition from villagers.

The area being fenced off earlier this month sparked fears among the community that a fresh planning application may be on the horizon.

Resident Teri Trickett said: “The responses from the diocese are just a cynical attempt to deflect attention away from themselves.

“They had no intention of granting a meaningful lease to the village.

“Villagers have sent their personal emails to the diocese and the land agent explaining how much The Glebelands means to them and are disappointed to each receive the same copied and pasted reply.”

A petition to save the land from development has garnered more than 1,000 signatures so far after being launched earlier this month.

The Glebelands represents the heart of our village

Edward Markham, who started it, said: “As residents of Bayston Hill, we have had the privilege of enjoying the open green space that The Glebelands has provided since 1949.

“The Glebelands represents the heart of our village; a playground for our children, a pitch for our sports and games, a safe traffic-free space used by generations of Bayston Hill’s scouts and guides, for other crucial activities such as training guide dogs, an area to walk our dogs, and most importantly, a sanctuary to experience nature.

“The Glebelands is also a space where we hold community events to come together for national celebrations and fundraising events to strengthen our collective identity.

“Sadly on November 8, 2024, the Diocese of Lichfield fenced off The Glebelands, bringing to an end the unrestricted access that the community has enjoyed for 75 years, and this valuable community asset is under threat from proposed future developments, instigated and promoted by the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance.

“Losing the Glebelands will deprive us of the last remaining open space in the heart of our village, affecting the quality of our village life and the wellbeing of our community.

“We believe it is our responsibility to safeguard this precious green space for future generations.

“Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of green spaces for mental and physical health, including reducing stress levels, lowering blood pressure, and improving general wellbeing.

“Moreover, green spaces like The Glebelands contribute to biodiversity and play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by capturing carbon emissions.

“We, the residents of Bayston Hill, call on local decision makers to reject any proposals to develop and instead remove the recently erected fencing and retain The Glebelands as a green space for the benefit of the community.

“This is not about resisting change. Rather, it is about protecting our communal heritage and preserving the wellbeing of our village.

“Our plea is simple and clear: save the Glebelands, save our green heart. We ask everyone who values green spaces and community life to sign this petition.”

A spokesman for the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance (LDBF) said it does not "blame" the council for the erection of the fence and "regrets" that the authority interpreted its statement in that fashion.

He also said the board regards the development as a "win/win" as it will include "permanently designated" public land for the community.

"Our statement cites two factors as precipitating our decision to fence the land, alongside legal advice," he said. "These were all mentioned in our press statement as the rationale for our decision: no further lease, zoning of the land and advice that we had a duty to protect our interest. The gist of the legal advice was communicated to Mr Mark Underwood (of the parish council) in a letter.

"Once developed the local community will obtain access to permanently designated public land as part of the development. LDBF would regard this as a ‘win/win’."

To view the petition visit change.org/p/save-the-glebelands.