Future Of St Helens Village Green Under Discussion As Parish Council Considers Takeover

The future ownership of one of the country's largest village greens is being considered, with St Helens Parish Council exploring the possibility of taking it over from the Isle of Wight Council.

St Helens Village Green, believed to be the second largest in England, has been at the heart of the community for hundreds of years and is designated common land.

The potential transfer was raised at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council's Policy, Finance and Resources Committee on Thursday (October 8).

Council leader and St Helens parish councillor Jonathan Bacon explained that the parish council had formally requested information to help it consider taking on ownership and management of the Greens.

The request, agreed by parish councillors on September 14, asks Isle of Wight Council officers to investigate the legal requirements and practical arrangements involved in a potential transfer.

Cllr Bacon also requested that the information be provided within a reasonable timeframe, as it could affect both councils' budget planning for 2027/28.

Committee chair Cllr David Llewellyn said he supported officers undertaking preliminary work to establish the legal and property position, as well as opening discussions with St Helens Parish Council.

However, he warned that the Greens' common land status could make the process more complicated than a conventional asset transfer.

He said:

"Given the common land status, however, this is potentially more complex than a conventional asset transfer and will require appropriate legal and property input."

Cllr Llewellyn added that the work would need to be prioritised alongside existing commitments, meaning he could not guarantee it would be completed in time for the 2027/28 budget-setting process.

Acknowledging the potential complications, Cllr Bacon urged the committee to give the matter some priority, highlighting how long the parish council had been waiting for it to be addressed.

Cllr Llewellyn confirmed his support for the proposal in principle.

No decision has yet been made on transferring ownership.