In his first month as MP for Somerton and Frome, David Warburton has made Cocklemoor a priority in his agenda for Langport, as promised before the election.
Cocklemoor, a piece of land near the River Parrett in Langport, was given to the Environment Agency (EA) in 1974 but Langport Town Council are now requesting it to be returned. The EA have proposed a charge of £20,000 to return the land to the Langport Town Trust. The Council has objected to the fee, arguing that the land, which is used by the local community for dog-walking and local events, should be returned without charge.
David Warburton MP contacted the Secretary of State for the Environment Liz Truss MP in the weeks leading up to the election, and was assured that she would speak to the EA once the election purdah period was over.
So David Warburton has now written to the Environment Secretary urging her to take action and asking the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to demand that the EA return Cocklemoor to Langport free of charge.
David Warburton explained, “I’ve been in regular touch with DEFRA and I’m asking the Environment Secretary to get in touch with the EA and settle this dispute immediately. Cocklemoor should be returned to Langport without charge, in accordance with the precedent set in 1974 when it was originally transferred. I intend to do everything I can to ensure that happens.
“DEFRA has assured me that this issue is being treated as a priority and that steps are being taken to take the matter to a satisfactory conclusion for the Langport community.”