Cleatlam residents question sale of their 'priceless' village green

Residents have voiced concerns after discovering their “priceless” village green is up for sale.
The Lordship of Cleatlam has been put on the market – just days after the Lordship of the manor of Streatlam was taken by a mystery buyer for £7,000.
The title for the new lord or lady of the manor of Cleatlam is being offered by Manorial Auctioneers of London for £8,250.
This includes “three acres of common land known as the village green”.
However, residents in Cleatlam believe strongly that the land can’t be sold.
Janet MacLean has lived in the village for 43 years and was the parish clerk for 20 years. She said: “How can the registered village green be sold when powers were given to the parish meeting on September 22, 1926, for the purpose of the holding, management and regulation of the village green?
“Residents continue to maintain and protect the village green up to the present time. It costs a lot of money to cut the green so instead of having a precept we manage the village green. We cut it ourselves and the rest is grazed off. It is a mutual agreement between residents. It is the heart of the village. You can’t put a price on it.”
The Register of Common Land and Village Greens states that the green has been registered in the ownership of Richard John Hanby Holmes since August 1, 1972.
Andrew Hanby Holmes is now selling the title.
Resident Susan Littlefair said: “I am quite shocked. I know people who graze sheep and horses on there. It is a beautiful piece of land. I would hate to think that the village green would be taken away.”
Jane and Jackie Walker have lived in village for 23 years.
Mrs Walker said: “There are not many linear villages like this left with a village green holding it together.
“It is used by everyone really and it is a village effort to maintain it. I can understand the title but the fact that the village green is up for grabs, I think that is a worry. This village is quite special because it is relatively unspoilt. I think it would be a fantastic idea if the people of the village bought it.”
Robert Smith, of Manorial Auctioneers, said: “A new owner could not, I think, fence the green off since that would impede the legitimate rights of commoners and because commoners have access to the green no one is going to stop someone who is not a commoner from taking a short cut across it.
“Nor is anyone likely to build on it because first they would have to buy out all the rights of the commoners and second, turn what was common land into freehold and third, get planning consent. I don’t see the planning authority granting consent in such a beautiful part of Teesdale.
“My experience of the Manorial Lord or a Lady is that he or she is happy for things to carry on as normal and to help as they can which usually means money that the parish may need for improvements. I have sold lots of manorial titles with village greens and there has never been a problem.”
He also said that it was “highly unlikely” that a new owner would want to take on the burden of maintaining it.
But Mrs MacLean added: “It is not registered as common land. I am appealing to someone out there in Teesdale who can advise us whether or not that land can be physically sold. How can they put a price on a piece of land that you can’t buy?”
A Durham County Council spokesperson said: “Local people have the right to use the green for lawful sports and pastimes and any changes in ownership would not affect this.”
The new lord or lady of the Manor will be able to use the title on their passports and credit cards. They will also be eligible for membership of the Manorial Society of Great Britain.