Tinshill Recreation De-Fence Group

zero tolerance of dictator-style decisions by council officials.

History of Tinshill Recreation Ground retain/amend?

The history of Tinshill Recreation Ground began to emerge in May 2007, when many residents became concerned about its future.

The story was that a local builder called Ashton, had gifted the land for the people of Cookridge to use as sports grounds. The argument being that this meant that the Council had no right to build on it.

The connection with Mr Ashton is strengthened by his provision of the cricket ground in Cookridge.

A local historian in Cookridge was asked if he knew anything about this. Don said that he thought the land was part of Low Farm. It had buildings on the other side of Farrar Lane from High Farm.

Low Farm was once called Yates Farm.

Low Farm had been bought by Leeds Industrial Co-operative Society as part of a project to improve the supply of milk. They bought up a large area of north Leeds.

When the dairy project failed, the Co-op sold the land to property developers. The rest was sold to Leeds Corporation. Some of the land was to be used as recreation grounds. It was subject to what are called restrictive covenants.

A local resident, Karen, has researched Low Farm on the internet and at the Land Registry.

Karen has found that the restriction agreed on the use of the land conveyed to Leeds on 28 May 1928 is “that the property hereby conveyed shall for ever hereafter be used as playing fields or recreation grounds only and for no other purpose whatsoever”.

It appears that  at one time Tinshill Recreation Ground was partly owned by Mr Ashton and the Leeds Corporation. At a later date Mr Ashton donated his part to the people of Cookridge. Further details are being sought. 

Part of Tinshill Recreation Ground in summer 2006

Ground is part of former Co-operative Dairy Farm

Date: 19/11/2007