THE letter from T Abery, ‘What progress’, Barry and District News, March 12, is right to ask questions regarding the Cemetery Approach scheme.

The Save Cemetery Approach Action Group have been monitoring events and acting since the developer withdrew from the public inquiry in 1998.

Early in 1999 the group first drew the council's attention to its responsibilities under Paragraph 10 of the Open Spaces Act 1906.

The Act says that a local authority should hold and administer the open space in trust to allow, and with a view to, the enjoyment thereof by the public as an open space, and maintain and keep the open space in a good and decent state.

We have also written to the council on several occasions over the last seven years stressing the importance of involving and working with the community.

We were pleased with the pre-election promises to do something about this special area in 2012; very disappointed with the lack of engagement with the community; pleased with the proposed centenary field proposal and, following my question at a council meeting, content with the promise to clear the site.

However, we are puzzled with the seemingly abortive grant application and the half-hearted attempt to clear the grounds.

Members of the action group have sought information through the Freedom of Information Act; tried to clarify the status of the grant application by writing to the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant providers, and are still seeking to clarify the latest situation with that application.

The time has come for the council to publicly and clearly state what on earth is going on by answering the following questions.

Why hasn't the council fully engaged the public in the future of this loved open space?

Why have the council failed to live up to its responsibilities under the Open Spaces Act?

Why does the open space still look like a dumping ground?

Why was there such a delay with the grant application?

What is the problem with the apparent failure of the grant application?

How does the council intend to move forward with this project?

Nette Harkus

Save Cemetery Approach Action Group member