Villagers appalled after church fences off field

People in Bayston Hill, outside Shrewsbury, say they are "horrified" by a church decision to fence off a local green space.

The Glebe, a large field often used for village events, is next to Christ Church and owned by the Lichfield Diocese.

The Friends of the Glebe campaign group described the move as "shocking" and is calling on the diocese to rethink its decision.

A spokesperson for the diocese told the BBC they understood the upset, but that the church had fenced off the land to "protect [its] interests".

The land has been a core part of Bayston Hill since 1949, when the diocese first leased the Glebe to villagers.

Since then, it has hosted fairs, events, Scouts, and is a popular spot for dog walking - but last week metal fences were put up, blocking people from accessing the land.

The fencing is about two metres high, with spikes along the top.

"It's been used by my family for 60 years, so it's going to be absolutely devastating," said Teri Trickett, who is part of the campaign group.

"We're so shocked that the diocese, the church, the centre of our village that's been here since 1843, has decided to do something to the village. It's like they just don't care about us."

Chris Hitchcock moved to the village from central London 24 years ago, and said moving to the countryside was "so exciting".

"You could come out [to the Glebe] at night and look at a multitude of stars," she said.

"Since then my grandchildren have been here - I take them out on little jaunts around the Glebe. It's been a great uplift to my soul."

She said losing the Glebe would mean "everything" to her - and that she would move away if the land was sold, as it would break her heart.

The site has previously been sold to developers, although that deal fell through, and residents fear one of the last green spaces in the village could still be built on.

An application to designate the Glebe as an official village green - giving it protected status - was submitted 18 months ago, but Shropshire Council has yet to make a decision.

The local authority said it would determine that application shortly.

Mark Underwood, who chairs the Friends of the Glebe group and is a parish councillor, has called for the church to "show some compassion" before a decision is made.

A spokesperson for the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance said they understood "the loss of access has been upsetting to local people," but that the diocese had "limited options compliant with its legal obligations" and had fenced off the land to "protect its interests".

They added that the fencing would be altered to be "more appropriate to the setting", and that "when the land is developed, there will have to be a provision to provide public open space in line with the normal planning policies".

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