AN application for a new town and village green in Haverfordwest has been given the thumbs-up by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The land, a small grassed area at Slade Lane in the north of the town will be the county’s 54th village green and confers a legal right on the inhabitants of the locality to engage in lawful sports and pastimes on the land.

The application was originally made by Jenny Morgans of Slade Lane, Haverfordwest and was subject to an objection.

Known locally to residents as The Green, the land, which is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, will now be added to the council’s register of Town & Village Greens.

Jim Dunckley, the commons registration officer, said: “Having looked carefully at the arguments for and against registration, the Registration Authority is now satisfied that the land has indeed been used as of right for lawful sports and pastimes by residents in the locality for well in excess of the required twenty year qualifying period.

“It will now be subject to legal protection as a recreational open space under the Commons Act 2006.”