Reference
PCClifton22/1
Title
Papers relating to Clifton Pond
Admin/biog history
Clifton pond was a subject of debate for many years, possibly beginning in about 1968, but at that time not seemingly resolved. The question revolved around ownership and whether the pond was a recognised village amenity that could be registered under the Commons Registration Act, 1965.
The poor condition of the pond after the drought of 1976 brought matters back into discussion, particularly regarding the maintenance of the pond.
In about 1990 the owners of an adjoining property tried to register ownership and erected fencing. This was disputed by the villages and the parish council. Much correspondence and press coverage was produced as advice and support was sought.
The parish council hoped to register the pond as a village green. At that time the application for registration failed, but a judgement relating to Suningwell, Oxfordshire was made in 1999 that opened the way for the pond to be registered. A non-statutory public enquiry was held in early 2000 and resulted in the recommendation that the pond should be registered. Discussions on the maintenance of the pond and ownership of the land continued after the formal registration.
Language
English
System of arrangement
These papers arrived in multiple folders containing a large quantity of duplicates. These have been weeded out, and the papers rearranged for easier use. In some instances, the items were numbered based on their location in their original files which is no longer represented in the present arrangement. A further deposit of papers was subsequently amalgamated with the original deposits and rearranged into a chronological order; again duplication was removed where possible.
Level of description
series