Local residents have got together to purchase land on the corner of Empress Drive and Mikasa street, Walney. This piece of land known locally as "The Celtic" has been used by local children as a play area for decades.

4 years ago we contacted the owners United Utilities, who put the land up for auction in December 2018, to buy the land and keep it as a play area. They were reluctant to sell or donate the land to the community as in their own words, “we need to achieve the best price possible for our shareholders”.

An application for Village Green status was made to Cumbria County Council which stopped any development on the site.

In the intervening 4 years we have submitted questionnaires, spreadsheets, forms, statements, letters, photographs, videos and legal arguments to back up the application. In August of this year we became aware of the land being sold to a third party. Contact was made and we have been able to buy the land from this community group for a similar price to what we originally discussed with United Utilities. This was made possible by a grant received from the council to purchase the land and donations from residents.

Once Village Green status is achieved the land will be a community asset available 365 days a year to be used as a play area for many decades to come. As the land is now owned by The Save our Celtic Community Group this will now be a formality

We now need to find further funds to help with legal fees and costs associated with the application and purchase, insurance and general maintenance.