Norton Green | Tank Field 'Tanky'
"Once a village Green, always a Village Green"
History
The Tank Field or Tanky as it's known locally, originally got its name as once there was a sewage tank on this field.
The tank was then replaced with a pumping station which led to the local sewerage works (The old site of the Cockshead Colliery). Around 10 - 20 years ago it too was replaced with underground sewers.
You can imagine then that this was not a pleasant place to be, but this is quite to the contrary as our research has found that the Tank Field has also been used for sport and recreation for over 100 years!
Lord Norton gave this piece of land to the Parish Council of Norton in the Moors for the use of a playground in 1901.
At present many local residents still enjoy the use of the field for a number of reasons - walking the dog, enjoying picnics, parents, grandparents out with their families enjoying a stroll, football enthusiasts, conker picking or just watching the day go by on one of the benches situated around the green.
'Tanky' Village Green
After 2 long years, our application to gain Village Green status for the Tank Field become a reality!! In August 2007, the Tank Field was granted Village Green status by the Village Green & Common Land Committee of Stoke On Trent City Council.
This status now gives the Tank Field lawful protection from encroachment, development and misuse. Also giving us the residents of this village the right to use this land for legal recreation in perpetuity. This protection can never be taken away from us.
We now have protection for all our open green areas as the two greens on Ball Lane and Foundry Square are registered common land and enjoy the same legal protection.
Norton Green Residents Association would like to express its most sincere thanks to all residents who took their time to fill out and return the support forms for the application back in the Autumn of 2005.
Without your help and cooperation the application would not have been possible.
Please continue to enjoy the Tank Field!
Regeneration Project
February 2008 marks the first stage of improvements to facilities on the Tank field set to begin in the spring thanks to funding of £30,000 from the Area Implementation Ward Budget.
Local Ward Councillors - Matthews, Smith and Rigby along with the Area Implementation Team (A.I.T), agreed the financial aid in October of 2007. This now enables Phase1 of the project to begin. This will include drainage of the sports area and a divisional path to cease the encroachment of the wetland area upon the sports field.
The Residents Association have also employed Groundwork Stoke on Trent to project manage the scheme and to help us to source further funding to enable the completion of the project. Many thanks to our Local Councillors and the A.I.T for their generosity and support to the future of the Tank Field.
Phase 1 July 2008
Work begins on Phase 1 of the Tank Field Project. After 8 years of meetings, consultations, applications and untold hours by members of our Association, work has finally begun on the Tank Field.
This will include - drainage of the sports area, an underground barrier to stop the marsh encroaching upon the sports area and the installation of a path and perimeter posts on the Ball Lane side.
The problem of ownership is still yet to be resolved, but we are assured by the City Council that they are doing all they can to take legal ownership of the field. Once the ownership is resolved it will then allow us to apply for further funding to complete the project.
As there are no formal records or documents, ownership has to be legally documented. The only proof we have are the Parish records for that year, which we believe are in possession of Brown Edge Parish Council.
Phase 2 September 2008
As the ongoing restoration work to the Tankfield is well under way and near completion, the next phase has been to plant grass seeds.top
Phase 3 October 2009
To date work on the project has not been forthcoming due to re-organisation of the GroundWorks Team. Every effort has been maintained in communicating with GroundWorks from the Residents Association is continually being assessed. GroundWorks reassure us that work will continue shortly.
Thank you for your patience whilst the improvements are taking place, we will all soon be able to enjoy the pleasures of the Tank field again.top
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