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07
Nov 2022
Hope for improvements to Pannal duck pond despite confusion over ownership
A popular village pond that has turned into a mud bath should begin to improve over the coming weeks.
Pannal duck pond has been in an increasingly poor state over many months amid confusion over its ownership and who has responsibility for its upkeep.
The neighbouring households even received an anonymous, accusatory letter about the pond, signed off "lots of love, the people of Pannal". It said:
However, one of the neighbours, Clare Waligora, posted the letter on Facebook and gave the community an update on the pond, explaining its ownership and upkeep are not as straightforward as the letter writer appeared to believe.
Her husband Brian told the Stray Ferret a solicitor had looked into the situation and even he could not establish the pond's ownership. While the neighbouring households pay an annual fee for an indemnity policy, it was not clear what their obligations were for long-term maintenance.
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Mr Waligora said there was an old water wheel with a sluice that used to help with drainage, but it had not been in use for many years. Silt has since built up in the pond, leading to preventing natural drainage and reducing the pond's capacity.
The nearby households opened a sluice gate to try to allow some of the accumulated debris to clear slowly. Then, last week, heavy rain washed it away in one day and left the pond almost completely drained.
Mr Waligora, who has lived next to the pond for almost 16 years, said:
Mr Waligora said while there was willingness among the neighbouring houses to try to make improvements, that quote was more than they were able to spend.
However, he said they had since received an email from the Environment Agency concerned about the condition of the pond. Mr Waligora is now hopeful the homeowners can work with the agency to find a solution.
He said although it had been unpleasant to receive the anonymous letter through the door, the response from the community had been very supportive.
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