THE former school playing field on Victoria Road will remain as a public open space.

Gloucestershire County Council have completed the sale of the land to Cirencester Town Council on Friday March 23.

The sale comes under strict regulations because it is an ex-school playing field. In 2016 the Department for Education gave the county council permission to sell the land, subject to Cirencester Primary School and the community still being able to use it.

Its sale to CTC was then authorised and the terms were amended in 2017 subject to various covenants. This included restricting the use of the site for community benefit and not for commercial development gain, and for the county council to retain access rights from Victoria Road, along Cuss Lane, to the adjoining school.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and change said: "I’m pleased that we’ve been able to secure the future of this playing field so that local people can continue to use it for fun. Within a conservation area, it’s long been used by the public and it forms part of an ancient monument site."

Cllr Joe Harris, local county councillor for Cirencester Park said: "I’m thrilled that after years of negotiations the sale of the Victoria Road playing field to the Town Council has finally been concluded.

"I’ve worked with local residents to secure the land which will only be used for recreational and community use. The field regularly hosts Cirencester’s bonfire night and it’s great that this will be able to continue.

"I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this sale a reality and look forward to seeing what plans Cirencester Town Council have for the site."