by Adam Williams

awilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk

A public inquiry will be held next spring over plans to register marshland as a village green.

Seaton Marshes, between Wickhambreaux and Seaton, was sold by Church Commissioners in October 2009. Four plots, totalling 400 acres, were purchased by Wickhambreaux residents after the tenant farmers were unwilling to pay the price.

But controversy soon followed in early 2010, when the owners decided to fence off the land and restrict access to the marshes. Objectors included former village resident and Big Brother housemate Nick Bateman, while a new interest group called Seaton Community Action was established to try and return the marshes to the public.

After failure to reach a compromise between the land owners and residents, an application was lodged in June last year on behalf of Wickhambreaux Parish Council to register the land as a village green. On Tuesday, members of Kent County Council’s regulation committee member panel met at Westgate Hall.

Melanie McNeir, countryside access officer, compiled the report recommending a non-statutory public inquiry to clarify the issues at hand.

She said: "This is a very emotive case. It’s aroused quite a lot of strong feeling within the village and more than 100 responses have been submitted detailing the recreational use of the application site.

"Support has also been lodged by the parish council and local city councillors. But, objections have been received by the four land owners and also the tenant farmer."

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Mike Harrison (Con), passed the recommendation with the support of his four fellow members.

He said: "Whether you win of lose a public inquiry you will understand that the law in this country really does work. But, be careful what you wish for, once you get granted village green status it remains that way forever."

Mark Perkins, one of the land owners, said: "Twice we’ve offered the parish council a solution, but we haven’t reached a compromise.

"However, we welcome a public inquiry and the door remains open to find an alternative before then. We’re happy to look at something with the help of the county council if possible."