A COUNCIL is delighted after completely the acquisition of the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Witham.

Witham Town Council announced the completion of a major land transfer, which sees it become the freehold owner of Witham's River Walk after more than 16 years.

The council have managed the land under lease from Braintree Council since 2005.

The proposal to transfer ownership of the River Walk to the Town Council was invoked in 2015, when members resolved to trigger a clause within the lease that would entitle the town council to full ownership of the land.

Now after, six years of negotiations, the town council has the permanent acquisition of the land, which is known as Witham's 'Jewel in the Crown'.

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Chairman of the Council's environment committee, Councillor John Goodman said: "I am absolutely delighted that Witham Town Council has now secured the freehold of the River Walk after protracted negotiations over a number of years.

"There is no doubt that both residents and visitors alike gain enormous benefit from this green lung which traverses the whole town, and it is certainly most worthy of its recognition as Witham's "Jewel in the Crown" - an oft-used phrase which is fully justified.

"I should also like to assure residents that our excellent Open Spaces team will continue to maintain the River Walk to the highest standards."

During lockdown the River Walk had a complete refurbishment of dog bins and new benches installed as part of the council's ongoing commemorative bench scheme.

Chairman of the Witham & Countryside Society, John Palombi said: "Taking the freehold ownership of the River Walk will ensure the continuation of the high standards of upkeep currently achieved by Witham Town Council and their Open Spaces Operations Team.

"The River Walk is a well-loved and well used green asset for the people of Witham. I am pleased to see the Town Council acting in a way which preserves the best of our resources for current and future generations.

"At the same time, I would like to encourage the Town Council to negotiate to bring more of Witham's precious assets under local control by our Town Council."