Singleton Village Green Project
19th of September, 2025
As you may be aware, some time ago the trust in collaboration with village residents and other interested parties developed a "Vision", outlining a number of projects to be undertaken to enhance and support our community. The permissive pathways and the serene peace garden were projects that were successfully completed and now form an integral part of village life.
Our next major project is the development of the village green. This will be in a central position to further enhance the aesthetic of the village whilst also providing community access to a green space right on your doorstep.
In the first instance, it was hoped that this project could be undertaken in collaboration with Fylde Borough Council, with a grant being provided by them to help fund the development. However, this would have necessitated the transfer of ownership. The board of trustees believe that such a transfer would be inappropriate, as the proposed site occupies a significant area right in the centre of the village; thus, we believe it needs to be fully protected. Our concerns are driven by the Charity relinquishing a valuable and strategic asset together with the unknown future with regards to the structure of local government. It is felt that this may ultimately have a detrimental impact on the land in the longer term, thus having the potential to negatively impact the village over time.
Despite being unable to secure Government funding, the Trust remain absolutely committed to the provision of a village green as a matter of priority. The trustees have therefore made the decision to fund the project from Trust resources, as well as looking for alternative funding and grant streams.
The project will commence Autumn 2025 with phases as outlined below.
Phase 1. October 2025 - Jan 2026
A. Designation of a plot of land to become the village green. Complete
B. Land to be clearly fenced denoting its future use.
C. Initial land survey to be undertaken.
D. Design to be developed in line with previous interested parties' feedback.
E. Planning permission application to be submitted.
Phase 2. Jan 2026 - April 2026
A. Land to be formally dedicated as village green through Commons Act 2006. This step is undertaken by the Trust as the landowner, to clearly identify the use of that land as a village green for this project and into the future, with the intention being to prevent the land being used for any other purpose, at any time.
B. Start of ground works (planning permission acceptance is required for this to start) this includes development of drainage and access solutions.
C. Project signposting and information shared via the Trust website and social media to enhance community involvement in the project.
Phase 3 April 2026 - Spring 2027
A. Village green works in line with agreed design.
B. Ongoing communication with the community and other interested parties through update meetings and bulletins
C. Proposed completion date August 2027
Please note all dates are for guidance only, these may move as specific milestones must be reached to move on to the next phase. Communication bulletins will be issued on a regular basis with project updates and potential timeline adjustments.