A town council clerk has asked if Dereham's green spaces will be protected after concerns were raised that a new strategy would remove them. 

Dereham Town Council has raised its fears over a property strategy drawn up by Breckland Council.

The property strategy aims to "optimise the council's property estate" and ensure it continues to generate value and effectively serve the district through "strategic management".

However, Dereham Town Council is concerned Breckland's approach will see a further decline in open spaces that fall under the district's remit - an issue that was also raised two years ago. 

Anthony Needham, Dereham Town Council's clerk, has now questioned Breckland about the strategy at a district council overview and scrutiny meeting.

Green space at Colin McLean Road in Dereham also falls under Breckland's remit.Green space at Colin McLean Road in Dereham also falls under Breckland's remit. 

Mr Needham asked the council whether the strategy would make the deficit of open space worse and if it would be more appropriate for open spaces to be categorised differently to other land assets.

In response to Mr Needham's concerns, Breckland officer, Ralph Burton, said the strategy was not intended to make the market town's deficit worse. 

He said: "Public spaces are important across Breckland and we want to make them accessible to the public as much as we can. 

Oakwood Road will also be looked at.Oakwood Road will also be looked at. (Image: Harry Clarke) "The strategy cannot influence planning policy and it's not the intention of the council to make the deficit worse. 

"If land is designated as open space, then it has to remain that way unless its planning policy is changed.

"We are in the process of transferring a large amount of open space in Dereham to the town council because holding that space more locally has a better benefit for those in the area. 

"Each piece of land is considered on its own merit so I don't think we need a separate classification for land owned by the council."

The town, which currently has a deficit of open space, is also expected to increase dramatically in the coming years, with a development for 216 homes near Swanton Road already underway. 

Amid plans for the town's growth, the council is determined to ensure public open spaces remain.

The document will be heard by Breckland's cabinet on November 11.