Trenode Field open meeting

DESPITE atrocious weather a number of residents attended the Village Hall, Widegates (Saturday, July 22) to express views on possible long-term uses of the council-owned field behind Trenode CoE Primary school.

Some years ago now the council bought the land with the intention, inter alia, of providing car parking and a safer pick-up/drop-off area for parents visiting the school. Sadly, on that occasion, those ideas found little favour with Cornwall Council’s highways department.

A dedicated play area was also mooted but, once again, that was not universally popular because of its location away from any built-up residential area.

(The preferred location for the play area is now alongside the Farriers Way development, and there is likely to be more news on that in the coming months when the council signs the lease for the land).

In latter years the Parish Council has rented out the Trenode field and it currently receives an income of a little over £1,000 a year.

But at its monthly meeting in April, councillors decided to explore the possibility of putting the field to other community benefits.

The existing rental agreement is up at the end of October and the council would still like to hear from residents of what possible uses there could be for the land.

Already, following the Morval Neighbourhood Development Plan mail-shot and referendum in March 2021, ideas mooted have included a nature reserve, walking pathways/dog walking area, benches, a hide for bird watchers, allotments, a parish picnic field, car parking for the school, car boot sales, and even as a site for a new larger community hall. 

Some people would like the field to be put out for tender again, and others suggest selling it completely.

But there could be many more ideas.

Anyone who has any suggestions about the possible use is asked to contact the clerk (clerk@morvalparishcouncil.org.uk), or call her on 07773 062 174.

Parish Council chairman Andy Jackson thanked everyone who braved the weather to attend the open meeting.

‘No decision will be now made before September at the earliest,’ he said, ‘and the council may also hold another public open meeting in the early autumn by which time all the suggestions will have been collated. 

‘But, rest assured, whenever the matter comes up for discussion again at a Parish Council meeting, the date, time and venue of that meeting will, as is always the case, be advertised in the parish and on the council’s website.’

22nd July 2023