Spring start date for open space clearance near Milford Primary School

PLAYING fields in Milford at the centre of a row could be handed over to the parish council next spring after a developer agreed to clear rubble and stones before reseeding it.

The 2.2 hectare site behind Milford Primary School has been the subject of a dispute after the parish council claimed debris and broken-up building materials had been scattered across the grassy area.

The parish council was set to take ownership of the land in 2021 together with a one off payment of £182,000 towards further maintenance.

But after commissioning an independent ergonomist report, the parish council told developer Pennyfarthing Homes that it would not accept responsibility for the land until work – estimated in 2022 to cost £85,000 – had been undertaken.

Milford Parish clerk Graham Wells revealed Pennyfarthing Homes has now appointed a contractor to clear stones and rubble from the site before adding a layer of topsoil and reseeding the whole area.

Mr Wells said: “It is frustrating because this is the work we were suggesting needed to be done three years ago – will now be done next spring.

“A lot of time has been wasted and costs have escalated but it finally looks like we are progressing towards a satisfactory conclusion.”

“We have already let NFDC and Pennyfarthing Homes know that we will be commission a further ergonomist report when the work is complete, before we finally take ownership of the site.”