Local councillors, residents and community groups in Peasedown St John are celebrating, after receiving news that one of the village’s most historic green spaces has received government protection.

The Green, located in-between Frederick and Albert Avenues, has been used as a popular recreational and social space since the 1950s – one that has been very much at the heart of the community for several generations.

Last year, B&NES Council launched its Open Green Spaces Strategy, which surveyed areas of land that should be protected from development and preserved for the future.

The Green between Frederick and Albert Avenues, Eckweek Lane Play Park, the Orchard Way orchard (next to Frenchfield Road), Ecewiche Green and Beacon Field were all identified by B&NES as protected Open Green Spaces in Peasedown St John, while the Recreation Field is protected under a different council policy.

However, Curo Housing objected to the council’s Open Green Spaces Strategy, with other ideas in mind for the space.

Curo, who own the land, inherited it from their predecessor, Somer Housing, who in turn purchased The Green along with the surrounding housing estates in 1999 when B&NES Council sold their housing stock.

Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown), who grew up in Frederick Avenue, said: “Of all the areas on B&NES Council’s list of protected green spaces, The Green in Albert and Frederick Avenues is the most historically and socially significant.

“Since the 1950s, children of all ages and local families have used this space for recreational use, outside events, social activities, community carol services and so much more.

“For so many of us, The Green is a part of our childhood. Generations of families have played here with thousands of people, over a sixty-year span, having fond memories of summer fun days.”

With fears of Curo going against the wishes of the council, a campaign led by Cllr Karen Walker, Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown) and Nathan Hartley was taken to the government.

Cllr Bevan added: “I was concerned that Curo asked for a lower level of protection for the Green at Albert and Frederick Avenues, on the grounds that this area may need to be ‘reconfigured’ in years to come. In some circumstances where homes are integrated with open green spaces, this may be appropriate, but not in this one!

“Here in Peasedown St John’s Homezone, homes and community buildings are geographically separate from the well used, much valued, stand alone green, which should therefore be treated as an exceptional circumstance and receive enhanced protection for the future.”

Nathan Hartley, who served as a B&NES Councillor for eight years, is now part of the local Residents’ Association. He attended the Government’s two-day Public Enquiry and spoke about the significance The Green has in the lives of local people. He said: “Since 2006, residents have been working together to continually keep The Green looking tidy, smart and renovated.

“Just recently, the Residents’ Association arranged for new picnic tables to be installed, along with the planting of trees and flower bulbs, and the broken fence around the outside to be fixed.

“To think that all our hard work could have gone to waste because of plans to build housing on this patch of land was depressing and very demoralising. As a community, we are extremely pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns and granted The Green full Open Green Space protection.”

With news that The Green had been granted government protection against future development, the councillors and residents took to the space to celebrate on Saturday, despite the unfortunate weather conditions.