The future of a registered green in Diss was secured for the benefit of locals yesterday after it was bought by a generous anonymous resident.Mystery had surrounded the sale of Fair Green after it was put on the market in March, but not entered into yesterday's land and property auction.
The future of a registered green in Diss was secured for the benefit of locals yesterday after it was bought by a generous anonymous resident.
Mystery had surrounded the sale of Fair Green after it was put on the market in March, but not entered into yesterday's land and property auction.
The owner yesterday revealed that the 600-year-old site had been sold and the custody of the green had been passed on to a local residents' group.
Community figures last night welcomed the news, which will retain the four acre site for public use for the benefit of townsfolk and visitors.
A statement from Diss Parochial Charity, which put Fair Green up for sale with a �45,000 price tag following the expiry of Diss Town Council's lease, said the trustees had accepted an 'unsolicited' offer, prior to a TW Gaze auction, from a local individual who wished to remain anonymous.
The charity, which provides support for the poor and needy of Diss, said that the purchaser wanted the Fair Green Neighbourhood Association to look after it.
Rachel Baker, chairwoman of the group, said the sale had come as a 'huge relief' and that the future maintenance of the roads bordering the green and play area had yet to be decided.
'We'd like to say a huge thank you [to the benefactor]. It's an incredible, very generous thing he has done. He has bought it for Diss. He's not going to make anything from it.'
'Isn't it nice that people are still out there who are so public spirited? I see this as a really exciting time for Fair Green,' she said.
Deborah Sarson, town clerk, welcomed the news and said that Diss Town Council was willing to meet with the new custodians to reach an agreement over the maintenance of Fair Green.
'I think it [road maintenance] is a detail that has yet to be worked out for the moment. The fact that an offer has been made and accepted I think is positive.'
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