Volunteers told to leave by council after renovating Durham park

Hemp Garden Community Association (HGCA) said it had received a formal notice from solicitors acting on behalf of Durham County Council requiring it to stop its work at Elvet Green in Durham with immediate effect, and remove its equipment.

The organisation, which has cared for the former bowling green since 2017, said the notice warned that failure to comply could result in injunction proceedings and an application for the council's legal costs.

But Durham County Council said it had received several complaints about the unauthorised use of the council-owned land by the group, including the hosting of public events and other activities.

Simpa Carter at the Elvet bowling green site, next to the old toilet block in Durham City. (Image: The Northern Echo)

HGCA said volunteers had spent thousands of hours restoring the site, which had previously been associated with litter, drug use and anti-social behaviour.

The group said volunteers had cleared rubbish and hazardous waste, repaired grassed areas, planted flowers, shrubs and trees, improved pathways, enhanced biodiversity and organised regular community work days all free of charge. 

Simpa Carter, executive director of HGCA, said volunteers had transformed the former bowling green into "a place that brings the community together and has become a source of local pride".

He said: "After years of openly caring for Elvet Green, we were genuinely surprised that the first time we were asked to stop our work or remove our equipment was in a formal notice from the council's solicitors.

"None of us ever imagined that caring for a public park would lead to the threat of legal action."

However, a council spokesperson said the authority wrote to the group in July and again in October last year to advise it that it did not have permission to use the land.

"At no stage has the group sought approval for the works it has undertaken on the land and, as a result, we have never granted permission for its use or for any works to be carried out,” the council added. 

Last year, the local authority put the former toilet block and adjoining land at Elvet Green up for sale. HGCA volunteers said they hoped to attract investors to buy into its plan to open a community cafe at the site. 

The former toilet block is up for sale. (Image: Durham County Council)

More than 1,100 people signed a petition calling for the proposed sale of Elvet Green to be paused while further public consultation takes place.

Mr Carter added: "We remain hopeful that a positive solution can be found so Elvet Green can continue to thrive as a place that brings people together for years to come."

Volunteer Andrew Lewis said working at the site had helped build his confidence and introduced him to "an amazing community of people".

"I'd be devastated to lose such a special place," he said.

Neighbouring resident Philippa Bell, who has lived beside the site for 28 years, said she had witnessed its transformation.

She added: "It's lovely to see it so well used by the community, and we applaud the dedication, vision and voluntary effort they've given over so many years.”

Durham County Council said work is due to begin on replacing the nearby Baths Bridge and the site will be used to provide construction access. 

The spokesperson added: "We have, therefore, asked the group to vacate the land to enable these essential works to proceed and to allow for the wider regeneration of the riverside area.

"Elvet Waterside is set to play a key role in this with plans for the sale and redevelopment of the former public toilet block, alongside the potential creation of a café and other improvements that will enhance the area for residents and visitors."