KNUTSFORD Town Council is calling for the community to support its application to register an area of public open space as an ‘Asset of Community Value’.

The council said the application was designed to demonstrate the community’s desire to retain the open space at Longridge/North Downs and to help prevent Cheshire East Council from disposing of the space.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Green said: “To get this land registered as an asset of community value we need to demonstrate how the community has used it over a number of years.

“We’re asking residents who have enjoyed this space to help support our nomination.”

The town council is writing to residents living near the open space who signed the KROW (Knutsford Residents in Over Ward) petition against its sale, but is appealing to any users of the space to give their evidence.

KROW has expressed concern at the potential sale of the public open space, which it says is a large area of recreational playing field, forming a Green wildlife corridor in the Green Belt and containing a football pitch.

You can submit your evidence by writing to the town council by e-mail or letter, setting out the activities you have used the public open space for and over what time period.

Any photographs showing the community using the space, or posters from events held there would also support the nomination.

The statement should set out how long one has been using the area and what activities one has undertaken there – from walking the dog to playing football and everything in between.

The aim is to demonstrate how the area has benefited the social wellbeing of the community.

“The more statements we have the easier we can demonstrate that this open space is truly valued by the community and the more likely it is our application will succeed,” Adam added.

He said before disposing of a registered Asset of Community Value the seller must provide an opportunity for a community to purchase the land on the open market.

He added that it was used in Holmes Chapel to protect the AP Sports Club and saw Holmes Chapel Parish Council buy the site to create a new community centre.