We have to thank Barratts - and their MD who interfered in this on behalf of the village and Kirklees MC and their officers, particularly John Fletcher, for pursuing an outcome that we thought had always existed - that our council owned our well-kept open space!
There are many people to thank for this campaign.
Cllr Malcolm MacDonald and Roy Cull have pursued this matter with zeal. They have co-ordinated local residents, tracked down all the necessary paperwork and involved those who could campaign at the highest level.
We have to thank Shahid Malik, MP for Dewsbury, which will be our constituency at the next election, and candidate Cllr Khizar Iqbal, both of whom spoke with Barratts and Kirklees to broker this solution. Their support was crucial. And our three Ward Councillors, Cllrs Hardcastle, Murphy and Smith for pushing it through Kirklees red tape in a day!
And thank you to everyone who has campaigned as individuals.
It has been a real community effort!
Ann Priestman, Shelley Community Association.
(I would like to tell you you can all keep your money in your pockets, but knowing Malcolm......)
Shelley Village Green
UPDATE