'Relief' as land secures village green status

Village green status has been secured for a grass space next to Nutham Lane in Southwater, leaving residents "relieved".

West Sussex County Council agreed to register the land, owned by the Parish Council, at a meeting on Tuesday.

Local resident Charles Fentiman, who submitted the application, said: "At one point it was rumoured we were going to lose 40% of it to developers."

The Parish Council said it has always recognised the importance of the space for community use.

The land was already protected by a restrictive covenant, but the new status means that covenant cannot be removed.

Mr Fentiman, who has lived in the village for 30 years, said the decision meant there was "no chance" of the land being developed.

Another resident, Colin Young, who has lived in the village for 36 years, said: "My children grew up playing on the green and now my grandchildren come here too.

"Now it is protected we can have a sigh of relief and know it'll be here for a very long time."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.