A PLAY area in Cudworth is still fenced off to the public more than three months after it was named a village green following a public inquiry.
The land, on Cadwell Close, belongs to businessman Alan Hardwick, but resident Noel Shaw took it to public inquiry after a longstanding row over the use of the land.
The decision to make it a village green meant it should be kept as an open space, but Mr Shaw says Mr Hardwick has left the fence up and just opened a gate.
The argument started when Mr Hardwick fenced the area off abut two years ago and applied for permission for four houses. That application was rejected but the fence was left up.
The field, which had play equipment and benches, had been used by by residents for more than 25 years before it was fenced off and was maintained by the council.
Noel, of Silverstone Avenue, said: "All he (Mr Hardwick) has done is open a gate and him and people are driving 4x4s on there and letting their dogs on. He is just pleasing himself.
"There should be certain enforceable protections against enclosure, encroachment and the driving of vehicles onto the land."
Mr Hardwick was unavailable for comment.
