Leisure Centre opponents start ball rolling to turn site into a 'village green'

Campaigners are applying to make their local recreation ground a village green in a bid to stop the building of a leisure centre.

Save Flitwick Recreation Ground is opposed to plans by Mid Beds District Council and the local town council to replace the existing Steppingly Road facility with a new leisure centre, complete with 200-space car park, at Millenium Park.

A petition of more than 1,700 signatures, opposing the move, has been gathered and now residents have started the ball rolling to register the ground as a village green.

This has been made possible by a change in the Commons Act 2006 which allows private people or groups to apply for registration of land.

A group spokesman said: "The residents of Flitwick, are disappointed that our own council is actively seeking to pour concrete over a green space in the centre of our town.

"This has effectively been our village green for years.

"The leisure centre is undoubtedly in need of updating but why not leave it where it is? There is even space for new football grounds etc.

"We urge people to come forward to help in the group and to fill out the a questionnaire giving evidence of use during the past 20 years.

"We also need photos, with a name and date on the back of events on the recreation ground."

Flitwick Town Council will be holding a meeting to discuss the development on February 19 in the Rufus Center from 7.45pm.

■ The campaign group can be contacted on