Long standing but sold off public open space becomes out of bounds with fencing erected

A large expanse of land which has been a public open space for decades has become out of bounds following what is thought to be a sale.

The land off Harrington Avenue, Briar Close and Charnwood Avenue in Borrowash became one of several locations across the borough to be put up for sale by the previous administration of Erewash Borough Council before it changed from Conservative to Labour following recent elections.

The 1.7 acre, or 0.69 hectare site is bisected by a public footpath, is near to the Ashbrook Community Centre and has been marketed online as suitable for residential development.

In September 2023, residents launched a last ditch bid to save the area, described as the "last green space in the village", with a Save Harrington Avenue Green Space campaigner, Carol Banks having claimed that people had not been told about the potential sale of the land until the borough council had put it on the market - a claim denied by the borough council, and supported by a statement that said it had followed the statutory process, blaming the Government at the time for forcing it to look at land suitable for possible development.

Local residents who were against the sale of the Borrowash green space penned more than 80 forms of correspondence to the authority, particularly so that it could continue to be used by local children, but also expressing concern over increased traffic and demand on local facilities following any development.

Reported to have originally been a gravel pit as far back as the late 1800s to early 1900s, its public use has been documented as having stood for around 70 years.  Within recent months, the land is thought to have been sold, subject to planning permission, for a rumoured six-figure sum, but has remained open for some time, albeit in a state of neglect as rewilding took place which also caused some residents concern about its unsightly appearance.

However, although the land continues to be in an unkempt state, contractors arrived on site within recent weeks to erect metal fencing between Charnwood Avenue and the footpath which crosses the site near to the Ashbrook Centre.

A notice has been posted on some fencing panels. It says: "Following the advertisement of this land for sale via local agent, there is now a requirement to fence the land off as part of the conveyancing process.  As such, access to and use of this land is no longer permitted."

The notice directs those with any resulting queries to the property and estates office at the borough council via e-mail, phone and post.

There is currently no further information about aspects of planning for development.