A SMALL community group has plans to transform a green space for different generations to use.
Residents from Chalfield Crescent and Fuller’s Close have teamed up and gained permission from Selwood Housing, who own the land, to restore the green space.
Sue Stoker, on behalf of the group said, “The residents of Chalfield Crescent and Fuller’s Close are very fortunate to have a wonderful green space in the middle of their estate and this has been a very valued playground for numerous generations of children living in the area.
“Once, there were various trees around the green, many of them beautiful blossom trees, which gave a lot of pleasure during the spring and summer to the residents.
“Unfortunately, prior to Selwood Housing taking possession of this green space, the council felled most of these trees, giving the excuse that they were diseased and dangerous, but this has been contested by the residents who were living here at the time.
“Over the past few years, this green space has been subject to increasing abuse, mainly in the form of large four-wheel drive and tradesmen’s vehicles being illegally parked, either on the edge or even in the middle of the green, causing the grass to be destroyed and the ground to be churned up.
“In trying to resolve this issue, a number of concerned residents have approached Selwood Housing seeking permission to re-plant trees and site raised planters around the green, and Selwood have given their consent, with some conditions.
“These are that Selwood are unable to give any funding for this project, that the residents take full responsibility for the trees and planters and should they become neglected or unsafe, the residents will remove them at their own expense; these conditions were all accepted.
“As we are a very informal and unofficial community group, we do not have a committee or bank account, therefore the Melksham Community Area Partnership Safety Group has offered to support us, by submitting any grant applications and holding any funds awarded on our behalf. Melksham Without Parish Council has already donated a number of saplings, which were excess to requirements from the trees obtained from the Woodland Trust, and residents themselves have volunteered to make planters, provide compost, care for the trees and take responsibility for individual planters.
“This area is bisected by The Ridgeway and is frequently used by the walking group, Forest and Church Lane residents walking into town as well as commuters walking to work, children walking to school and regular dog walkers.”
