I have recently been approached by a resident of Springfield Avenue regarding the heavily overgrown land around the entrance to the clinic. After a visit to the site to witness what is, quite frankly, a total mess for myself, I have worked alongside Grappenhall & Thelwall Parish Council staff to pursue a solution to the problem. Unfortunately, no easy solution seems forthcoming.

The challenge arises due to the ownership of the land. Part of the land outside the clinic – that to the left of the drive, if you were entering the clinic – is owned by the NHS. The clinic have told us that their contractor has been unable to tend the grass due to the inclement weather, however they assure us that the area will be cut and tidied as soon as possible. This is very much the easiest part of the problem to solve.

Meanwhile the land on the opposite side of the drive does not belong to anybody – both the NHS and Warrington Borough Council (WBC) have confirmed this. Whilst in the past this land has been cut, a recent review of the Land Registry made by WBC has resulted in the land being removed from maintenance schedules. As a result there is no public body with responsibility for tending to this area.

The only solutions available for this unowned land must be resident-led. In the short-term, residents may wish to consider forming a syndicate to arrange and fund the maintenance of the area. The Parish Council cannot recommend a provider, however WBC can provide a quote and the Parish Council’s contractor – Countrywide – can also be contacted.

In the longer term, it may be possible for a group of residents to take ownership of this land. This could involve homeowners on Windsor Drive to extend their gardens to take up all or some of the unclaimed land. An alternative would be for Springfield Avenue residents to take ownership of the land, thus maintaining the look and layout of the street.

As well as publishing this information online here, an update will be posted to all affected properties. The Parish Council itself cannot assist other by way of facilitating and supporting a group of willing residents in their efforts to provide either a short or longer term solution. Should you wish to contact me for further advice or assistance, or if you require relevant contact details for WBC or the NHS, please e-mail me on ryan.bate@grappenhallandthelwallpc.org.uk or call me on 01925 267618.

If there is enough interest from residents, I would be happy to arrange a public meeting to help co-ordinate efforts on this issue.

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