Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Proposed by Cllr John Worth, seconded by Cllr Jean Dunseith.

Decision: that Cllr Shane Bartlett be elected Vice-Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

Cllr Bartlett advised that he had walked across the land many years ago.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To consider a report of the Definitive Map Team Manager.

The Committee considered a report from the Definitive Map Team Manager for an application to amend the Register of Town and Village Greens by the addition of an area of land known as Stony Down Plantation, a drawing of which was attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

Members were given details of the background of the application and were shown a number of slides from various points of the application site.  An application had been made in November 2015 for a Definitive Map Modification Order to add sixteen bridleways across Stony Down
Plantation. The Modification Order application was under separate consideration, under Officer Delegation, but relevant to the Village Green application as it would affect the same area of land and both applications were supported by evidence of public use.

The Definitive Map Team Manager explained that there was insufficient qualifying evidence of use to satisfy the legal test that needed to be met in order to recommend the application for approval and it was therefore recommended for refusal.

Oral representation was received from Ms Carol Evans on behalf of the landowner in support of the recommendation to refuse the application.

In response to member questions the Definitive Map Team Manager advised that there was no specific number to qualify significant use of the land and each application should be determined on it’s own merits.  Representations received from those using the land claimed they used the whole area and not just the bridle paths. 

The Committee members were in agreement with the Officer’s recommendation that there was not enough evidence to meet the legal tests
required for the successful registration of a town or village green.

Proposed by Cllr Belinda Ridout, seconded by Cllr Shane Bartlett.

Decision:

That the application VG1/2016 to register land at Stony Down Plantation as Town or Village Green at Corfe Mullen was rejected

and
The Register of Town and Village Greens should not be updated

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There is no exempt business.

There was no exempt business.