Who and what is Burton Village Land?

Burton Village Land Ltd manages and preserves as open space two fields in the village - Banks Field in the centre of the village (behind the converted telephone box), and Spring Field (given this name in 2012, as it has a spring in it), between Scotland Lane and Elms Lane at the north end of the village.

Our company was formed in 1993 to preserve the open aspect and rural character of the north end of Burton Overy, by purchasing Spring Field, the 2.4 acre field there. A planning decision rejecting an application for one house to be built there, next to Curlieu Cottage, had been appealed, and the appeal had just been rejected by the Department of the Environment's appeals inspector. As part of his adjudication, he observed that the presence of farmed agricultural land within the village, and the particular relationship of that land to the rest of the village, was one of the key defining features which contributed to Burton Overy's unique character and attractiveness as a place to live.

In 2012 it was decided that we would make an offer to purchase the 0.6 acre pasture in the centre of the village, which had come up for sale. Support was sought from villagers to raise the money required, by the sale of further shares in the company at £250 each, and having been successful in this and in our bid, Banks Field, as this pasture is now known, was purchased.

Former resident Lynda Eaton was the driving force behind the formation of the company in 1993, and Brian Pollard spearheaded the campaign to purchase of the additional pasture, Banks Field, in 2012. We are grateful to them for their vision and capable management of both processes, which have preserved these valuable assets for the village. We are also grateful to John Cornwell, Alan Brown and Keith Smith who as company chairmen from 1993 to 2009, from 2009 to 2014, and from 2014 to 2016 respectively have guided us over that period. Company Secretaries have been Gillian Shelton, Julian Hepplewhite and currently Paul Hadfield. Julian in particular provided invaluable legal guidance to us over his period of office from 1997 to 2006.

Click on the 'Documents' link to see company documents.

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