THE village green in Cudworth is to be bought by the council - whether the owner wants to sell it or not.

The council's ruling cabinet has agreed to use a compulsory purchase order should negotiations with owner Alan Hardwick fail.

Council leader Steve Houghton said the council had offered to maintain the land, off Cadwell Close, to keep it open for residents, but Mr Hardwick had refused and had not responded to the council's offer to buy.

Coun Houghton added: "There is nowhere else to go except to consider a compulsory purchase order to bring it back into community use. This is a last resort, we've tried every other option."

The site was declared a village green earlier this year by an independent public inquiry inspector.

The council had maintained the site for about 25 years believing they owned it and it had been used freely by residents.

But it was fenced off by Mr Hardwick after his planning application to build four houses nearby was rejected leading to the public inquiry.

Residents have complained about the fencing and animals grazing on the land.

Coun Houghton said gypsies and travellers now live on the site, with Mr Hardwick's permission, making it impossible to use.

He added: "It has been fenced off and there have been incidents where children have been injured.

"Travellers and gypsies are still on the site but that is subject to a court case and we are waiting for a date for a hearing."

ALan Hardwick declined to comment.