The owners of 'Ardsley', at 62 Ardsley Lane, approached council with a request to purchase the public road, Ardsley Lane, that traverses their property in Laffing Waters.

Following investigations, councillors were asked to consider and make a decision on the request at the March meeting of council.

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They were told that the investigation by council officers found that Ardsley Lane hasn't been used by the general public for several years and "is not of any strategic benefit to council".

Councillor John Fry had suggested that, instead of proceeding with the sale, the land be leased for a period of five years, which would give council more time to evaluate its strategic value.

"We don't really know at this stage how the urban expansion will go out that way. There's already Forest Grove subdivision out there, which is adjacent to this road, Peel is likely to grow, the Limekilns area; I think this is a growth area," he said.

"... We really don't know how strategic this road will be in the future, and if we sell it now we close all our options off."

While a lease was possible, the director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, reiterated that council staff didn't see strategic value in the land.

"The director of planning and us all have discussed that and certainly for the foreseeable future don't see it as a strategic link for a significant amount of time," he said.

"Given the land is essentially occupied by the adjacent owner, it seems that the best way forward would be to close the road itself, however that's for the council's consideration."

Council resolved to close Ardsley Lane and to sell the land.

A licensed real estate valuer will be engaged to determine the price the land should be sold for.

Proceeds from the sale of land may be used for acquiring land for public roads or carrying out road work on public roads.

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