assessment of site LGS06 states that the area outside the castle walls is used by local residents on a daily basis. There is additionally occasional use of the Respondent's land between / adjacent to St Brandon's Church and Brancepeth Castle as set out above. Paragraph 2.26 It is inaccurate to state that since 2008 the Cricket Field has been the only open, outdoor leisure space within the village. As set out in the response to paragraphs 2.17 – 2.23, the Respondent has made available their land between / adjacent to St Brandon's Church and Brancepeth Castle for open / outdoor leisure space and also for community events. The Local Green Space Background Paper in the assessment of site LGS06 states the area outside the castle walls is used by local residents on daily basis. There is additionally occasional use of the Respondent's land between / adjacent to St Brandon's Church and Brancepeth Castle as set out above. Paragraph 2.27 It is agreed that a 10 year lease was entered in 2008 between the Parish Council and Castle Estates (Brancepeth) Ltd with the option for a further five year lease from 2018. It is also agreed that this lease expired in March 2023, a new lease not having been entered. The last sentence in paragraph 2.27 of the BNP states; flt.is.a.concern.for.many.parishioners.that.this.five.year.lease.expired.in.March.8689.despite.ongoing.attempts.by.the.Parish.Council.to.negotiate.with.the.landownerfj. In response to the above it is inaccurate to state that there have been ongoing attempts by the Parish Council to negotiate with the landowner, the Respondent. The Respondent has retained Ward Hadaway LLP, 'WH', to negotiate with the Parish Council. To WH's knowledge the Parish Council has not retained a solicitor since September 2023. In September 2023 the solicitor who previously acted on behalf of the Parish Council advised WH that he was no longer acting. WH subsequently wrote to the Parish Council's specified agent on 10 October 2023, 3 November 2023 and 8 December 2023 seeking to open dialogue with a view to discussing the terms offered for a new lease of the Cricket Field. No reply has been received.