Neil Gerrard MP   
Lea Marshes
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HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A OAA

NEIL GERRARD MP for WALTHAMSTOW

Phone 020 7219 6368
Fax 020 7219 4899

6 November, 2001

MyRef: W3336

Ms Katy Andrews

Dear Katy

Further to your telephone conversation with my assistant recently; I have received the following information from a researcher in the House of Commons Library:

"Leyton Urban District Council Act 1904 (4 Edw 7 cap ccxl)

The Lammas Lands in the parish of Leyton, which had previously been subject to grazing rights by the inhabitants at large from 1 August to 25 March in each year, 'were released for acquisition by the Leyton UDC as public open space and recreation grounds by virtue of sections 138-150 of the above Act. The necessary resolution to activate the sections was obtained at a public meeting in 1905.

Of these, sections 138, 139, 142, 144, 145 and 150 are still in force. The remainder were repealed by SI 1954/171 and SI 1965/510, the latter of which amended those sections still in force. The repealed provisions related mostly to arbitration and compensation provisions for commoners, all claims of which had been settled by 1909 The amendments provide for the carrying on of the unrepealed sections by Waltham Forest LBC.

If Seymour Fields were part of the Lammas Lands, then the UDC (and its successors, the Leyton and Waltham Forest Borough Councils} was obliged to preserve them as public open space, except as is provided for under ss. 142, 144 and 145. Broadly, these allow parts (not exceeding 20 acres together) of the Lammas Lands the Council considers unsuitable for open space or recreation to be sold, leased, or exchanged."

The researcher goes on to say that only the legal department of Waltham Forest LBC or possibly the Land Registry would be in a position to say whether Seymour Fields have at any time since 1904 been so released and that the Vestry House Museum; who keep the LBWF archives, might also be able to assist.

I am enclosing a copy of the relevant parts of the Act. I do hope that the above is of some use to you.

Yours sincerely

Neil Gerrard