New regulations will be made to protect a village green.
Beeston Green is protected by a variety of legislation, the earliest of which dates back to 1857.
But over the years gaps in responsibility and rules have appeared and now Sandy Town Council is seeking to rectify this. Recent parking, access and maintenance problems have highlighted the need for action.
Councillors discussed it on Monday (June 10).
Councillor Nigel Aldis said: “The green is under the ownership of the town council; we are the lords of the manor. But we have an agreement with Central Beds Council that they will cut the grass and look after the area apart from the play area which we maintain.
“There’s no agreement for the trees. There are large numbers and our insurers would get very twitchy if they knew we weren’t maintaining them properly.”
Work has now begun on converting the old village hall into a house and someone has fenced off part of the green next to it.
“There are neighbours who are allowed to graze hogs and cattle. They would be very concerned if they were to lose this,” Councillor Aldis added.
Councillor Michael Scott said: “There are a lot of issues that need dealing with immediately. The way the new timber yard is cutting up the green and the parking on the green is causing an awful lot of damage. We have a huge responsibility to an ancient piece of land.”
Mayor Susan Sutton said: “We do need a management plan for the whole of the green that would outline everything.”
There are things that can be done quickly such as stopping people parking on the green, perhaps by using wood, and by the council being more visible in the area, she said.
The councillors agreed to set up a working group. They hope to work with knowledgeable Beeston residents to pool information about the green at the moment and in the past.
Does Beeston Green need managing better? Email letters@biggleswadechronicle.co.uk