The Supreme Court today ruled in favour of the Greenfields Community Group. 

The ruling will help set a new precedent for how public green spaces are sold by local authorities in years to come. 

Thousands of you chipped in to help us get the case all the way to the Supreme Court, and Good Law Project are thrilled to have backed this important piece of litigation. 

Nearly 4,000 public spaces and buildings are being sold off every year in England alone and we believe this judgment could have far reaching consequences for how public land and green spaces are managed by local authorities in the future. 

Last June, Shrewsbury Town Council apologised “unreservedly” over the sale of part of Greenfields Recreation Ground and promised to buy the land back. They were instructed by their lawyers not to buy it back until the Supreme Court judgment, and we now hope they honour their pledge so that the local community can once again use the space for recreation.

Thank you for all your incredible support. 

Further to our day in the Supreme Court, we are closing this fundraiser and await the decision from the Supreme Court.

Peter Day and the Greenfields Community Group are feeling hopeful about the outcome and have expressed their eternal gratitude to everyone who has supported this case.

This is about more than one park in Shrewsbury, but about how public recreation spaces should be protected across the UK. Thank you for your support.

We'll be in touch when we hear the decision.

Their council sold some treasured local parkland without letting them have their say, but today the group of residents from Shrewsbury had their voice heard in the Supreme Court. 

The fight to get Greenfields Recreation Ground back into public ownership has been ongoing for 5 years, across local campaigning and through legal action. Good Law Project has been supporting the Greenfields Community Group to challenge the current status of the land after it was unlawfully sold, with the ultimate goal to have the land returned to the local people who need it.

"We feel excited that our grassroots campaign that started off in a kitchen in Shrewsbury is finally here at the Supreme Court today"- Peter Day, leader of the Greenfields Community Group. 

On average more than 4,000 publicly owned buildings and spaces in England are being sold off every year. 

We hope the outcome of this hearing will set a new precedent for how public recreation ground is protected and how communities are consulted on proposed sales, before these significant community assets disappear from our sight. 

The judges were engaged in the arguments put forward by the legal team representing Peter and the Greenfields Community Group left feeling positive about the day. 

The outcome of the case may be delayed however as the Court suggested that the Attorney General may need to be given the opportunity to have their say, due to their obligations around protecting the public interest. This further highlights that the case is deemed to be of significant public importance.  

We will update more on this case as its journey continues. 

Thank you for your support. 

Shropshire Town Council recently resolved to purchase part of the land back for public good, but last week they voted to delay the decision instead, opting to cease engagement with the community until after the Supreme Court case is decided.  

“We are incredibly frustrated at this vote. Less than a few months after they apologised and promised to buy back the land, the decision has been kicked into the political long grass. We are disillusioned by the council, hence we are calling for a vote of no confidence. Bring on the  Supreme Court hearing”- Peter Day, Greenfields Community Group. 

With so much resting on the hearing, we need to make sure we can afford all the work required by solicitor’s to finally get justice for Greenfields Community Group, and for future cases like this. 

If you’ve already donated, please help us raise awareness about this important case by sharing the Crowd Justice page on Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp. 

Thank you for all your support,

Good Law Project team

On 7 December, Good Law Project and the Greenfields Community Group are going to the Supreme Court. 

We will be fighting to protect a green space that’s been at the heart of one community for generations. And to defend our public interest in our green spaces. 

For almost 50 years, the Greenfields Recreation Ground, in Shropshire, was managed by the local council on behalf of the community. But in 2017, the council sold it to a developer, without consulting local residents or advertising the sale, despite being legally required to do so. 

The Supreme Court only takes appeals that are of ‘general public importance’. This case is about the importance of public land serving the public. It’s about defending our right to have a voice in how green spaces, vital to our wellbeing, are used. 

You can read the legal grounds of the Greenfields Community’s appeal here. 

We hope the Supreme Court comes to a conclusion that ensures the views and wellbeing of local communities are consulted when the sale of green spaces is being considered. 

We are continuing to raise money to support this case; and to support more work to protect community spaces from private development.