Falmouth Residents Secure 3 Acres of Green Space and Playgrounds for Permanent Public Use

Residents of the Goldenbank and Swans Reach estates in Falmouth have successfully secured nearly three acres of valued community green space and two children’s playgrounds, ensuring the land will remain publicly accessible forever.

Last year, residents became aware that sections of green space within the estates had been listed for sale on Rightmove by a London-based auction house. Further enquiries indicated that the land had been sold following the completion of maintenance obligations by the developer, Wain Homes. The freeholds were subsequently acquired by a land agency which divided the land into smaller plots and marketed them to buyers.

In response, local residents formed a Residents’ Association and began exploring options to safeguard the spaces for community use. A petition was submitted to Cornwall Council seeking designation of the land as a Village Green. As that process can take a significant period of time, residents also explored the possibility of purchasing the land directly.

Members of the Residents’ Association approached Falmouth Town Council to ask whether the Council would be willing to accept the land as a community asset if residents were able to secure it. Following consideration at a full Council meeting, councillors agreed in principle to accept the land should the purchase be successful.

On 12 February, the Residents’ Association successfully bid at auction for approximately three acres of land, including the central green and two playgrounds. The purchase, including legal fees, totalled close to £25,000. The land, together with a financial contribution toward its upkeep, has now been formally transferred to Falmouth Town Council, which will manage the space for the benefit of the local community.

Philip Grayson, Chairman of the Residents’ Association, said:

“This has been a challenging and expensive exercise. Residents have been hugely disappointed by Cornwall Council’s failure to adopt the public spaces and by the lack of consultation before the land was released. However, throughout our rescue effort, we have received first-class support from Falmouth Town Council — both elected Councillors and professional staff — who have been exemplary in supporting this local initiative. Quite simply, we couldn’t have done this without them.”

Town Clerk Mark Williams said:

“This has been a powerful demonstration of partnership between the Town Council and local residents working together to protect valued community open spaces. As Cornwall Council continues to devolve the management of local assets to towns and parishes, it will be increasingly important for local people to engage actively to safeguard community assets for the long-term benefit of residents.”

The successful initiative means that the green spaces and playgrounds at the heart of the Goldenbank and Swans Reach estates will remain protected for the benefit of current and future residents.