Ashplats Wood and East Court estate designated as a SANG
12 September 2014
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MID Sussex District Council advised the East Grinstead Town Council at a hastily convened meeting on 10 September, that an extended 125 year lease for use of the Ashplats Woods and grounds was signed by them last week with the East Grinstead War Memorial Company. This will lead to the lands becoming a future SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) a designated alternative to the Ashdown Forest for residents to exercise themselves and their dogs.
The District Council have asked the Town Council to put forward two representatives to sit on a steering group for the ongoing management of the SANG and this will be considered by the Finance and General Purposes Meeting on 25 September.
Over the next six months or so, the Steering Group will consider and agree contributions towards maintenance and ongoing management of common areas, signage and layouts to ensure that the public understand where the SANG is and how it is to be used. One of the most important issues is the car parking arrangements. The lands owned by the East Grinstead Town Council are reserved exclusively for the use of visitors to and hirers of the Town Council buildings and events , and will not be available for users of the SANG.
Cllr Rex Whittaker leader of the Town Council said: “The East Court arrangements are crucial to maintain and control properly for the Council, as hirers have become more frequent the use of the car park by the public using the MSDC leased lands, or walking in to town has caused friction. Signs to advise people of the use of the car park were recently replaced to explain the use but not everyone abides by this. If the SANG exacerbates this problem then enforcement may have to be considered and this will be closely monitored going forward.”
The East Court car parks surrounding the buildings are owned by the East Grinstead Town Council and are strictly for the use of those using the buildings. The Town Council do not own nor maintain any lands to the west of the lower terrace. Visitors are already asked to keep dogs on a lead on the terraces and any users of lands below the terraces are required to park in the Mid Sussex car park (40 spaces free of charge) alongside the pavilion (access road by the ambulance station).