GRAYSHOTT Square could soon become public property and a focal point for the village, after the parish council was given the funds to buy the land on Tuesday. East Hampshire District Council's north east area community committee agreed to release £7,000 of developers contributions to the parish council to buy the land. This will mean the area can remain open to the public and carry on being used and enjoyed by residents as an open space. The parish council has also indicated that the area, which is in the heart of Grayshott, will be further enhanced. The chairman of Grayshott Parish Council, Clive Slaughter, said ownership of the square had been under discussion for several years. "It was discussed at the last meeting, when the parish council agreed that it would like to take the square into ownership and make it a focal point of the village," said Mr Slaughter. He said refurbishment could include benches, flowers and shrubs, but "the parish council will consult with the village, the school and local businesses to see what they would prefer to have there". At the meeting, Anthony Williams, the councillor for Headley, said: "I whole-heartedly encourage this. It's not often a parish council gets a chance to purchase land of such importance. "I would encourage the parish council and I would have thought they would have all sorts of ideas for it, to enhance that part of the village. I think it's an opportunity that does not often arise." The issue of the square is likely to be among the items raised by the public at next month's annual parish assembly. The meeting takes place in the village hall on Friday, April 7, at 8 pm.
