I would like to present an unusual petition, in that I have never had a petition before in all my time in the House that so many people in the area affected have signed. Almost 100 per cent. of them have signed it.

The petition states:

The Humble Petition of residents of Sovereign Fields, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas,

Sheweth that the common land on the Sovereign Fields development of Higham Ferrers is used not only by the people of Sovereign Fields but by the local community of Higham Ferrers and by the people further afield; yet that due to a dubious planning decision in 1989 the residents of Sovereign Fields have to pay a management charge to look after the public spaces; and that the Petitioners believe that the common land should be transferred to East Northamptonshire District Council; and that the maintenance of the land should be taken over by the said council.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to liaise with East Northamptonshire District Council and Higham Ferrers Parish Council, to arrange for Sovereign Fields common land to be transferred to the district council.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

[P000787]