Protective Measures

Following the Parish Council meeting on Monday 17^th June 2019 and a further intrusion on the Village Green, Iron Acton Parish Council has resolved the below actions

1. Source and purchase boulders approx. 1 tone each and situate them around the Village Green as a temporary measure.
2. Legal protection sought whereby a High Court Injunction is permanently in place.
3. Make a Formal complaint to the police.

The Village Green Working Party will continue to work on the future and permanent plan for the Village Green.

As you will be aware, Iron Acton has two formally designated greens, in Iron Acton village and in Latteridge.  Parish Council bylaws forbid unauthorised vehicular access or camping on both greens and the bylaws can be enforced through the courts.  However, this is a costly and slow process.  Following unauthorised camping on the village green earlier this summer Iron Acton Parish Council has been considering whether more should be done to protect and enhance the two greens. The council now has ‘in principle’ proposals and would welcome thoughts and comments from interested parishioners.

 Iron Acton Village Green

The village green is open and accessible which makes it particularly vulnerable. The Parish Council has decided in principle that it should be protected physically from unauthorised vehicular access while ensuring that it can still be used for events such as May Day on the Green.  The council regards it as essential to maintain the open feel of the green along with easy pedestrian access and has, therefore, decided against the erection of fences, bars or railings.  It is considering, instead, individual rocks or short, free-standing posts spaced closely enough together to bar vehicles while minimising nuisance for pedestrians.  It has also had suggestions for enhancing the green through adding benches and/or flower planting (in beds, planters or a rockery). The council will consider suggestions for such enhancements provided there are individuals or organisations willing and able to establish and maintain them for the foreseeable future.

Latteridge green

Latteridge green is more protected than Iron Acton village green with banks, rocks and trees limiting access for some of its perimeter.  It is also smaller, has a wilder feel and tends to become boggy in wet weather. Perhaps as a result of this, it does not seem to have a history of unauthorised vehicular access. The Parish Council has decided in principle that initially a conservative monitoring approach would be best for Latteridge Green however following consultation with local residents it was decided to install green metal posts to stop any unauthorised vehicular access.