The Cheltenham Green Party is calling on the Liberal Democrat-led Cheltenham Borough Council, and specifically Councillor Paul Baker, to make a clear and unequivocal declaration to protect the town’s allotments and other community green spaces.
In comments to the survey when posted to local social media groups Councillor Paul Baker, the Lib Dem cabinet member responsible for allotments, commented
“Such twoddle (sic),, as the Cabinet Member responsible for our allotments I have NO intention of selling off allotments, in fact we are investing in them and working hard to make unused plots available to our waiting list. More scaremongering from the author I’m afraid.”
Cllr Ashleigh Davies, Green Party Council Group Leader, said:
“These assurances fall short of the firm commitment residents are seeking. Councils act as custodians of community assets—they do not own them outright, and vague statements about current intentions do not guarantee long-term protection.
The council is already scaling back the community benefits promised for the Golden Valley Development, amid massive losses from other speculative ventures, notably the Minster Square Exchange, which incurred a £4.7 million overspend.”
Cllr Dr Ian Cameron, Green Party County Councillor, said:
“Our survey shows that Cheltenham residents are deeply concerned about losing these irreplaceable green spaces, which provide essential benefits for health, community, and the environment. The Liberal Democrats must go beyond saying ‘no plans yet’ and declare unequivocally that they will protect our allotments and green spaces from development.
They can go further and commit to open up unused land such as Cakebridge Place for community food growing and that new housing projects such as Elm’s Park will have green spaces for recreation, wildlife, and allotments.
After another extremely hot and dry summer, we must anticipate the changes of the climate emergency and start to create a cool green oasis for every community to enjoy.
I call on Councillor Paul Baker and the council to make this commitment now, reassuring the public that community assets will be safeguarded for future generations—not sold off when budgets tighten.”
This urgent demand follows a local survey revealing widespread public anxiety over the perceived threat to these vital assets, exacerbated by recent national policy signals from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and the council’s history of disposing of community resources.
In Cheltenham, these national concerns are amplified by the Liberal Democrat council’s track record of selling off community assets. Notable examples include:
- The controversial sale of Idsall Drive car park in Prestbury in 2024, despite a petition signed by over 1,000 residents opposing the move. The site was sold for £282,500 and is now back on the market for more than double the price with planning permission for housing.
- The ongoing sale of the Grade II-listed Municipal Offices, marketed since September 2024, with a buyer expected to be announced soon.
- The joint sale of Gloucestershire Airport in 2025 for over £25 million to Horizon Aero Group Ltd, as the councils sought to offload the asset requiring significant investment.
- The closure of the Swindon Road household recycling centre, which requires £1 million in upgrades and faces an uncertain future amid county council proposals.
To gauge local sentiment, the Cheltenham Green Party conducted a survey of Cheltenham residents, posted across various local social media groups. The results, gathered from dozens of responses, paint a clear picture of alarm:
- A majority of respondents expressed being “very worried” about the threat to allotments, citing fears that the council will target community assets to raise funds amid financial pressures.
- Key concerns included the council’s past actions, with many referencing sales like Idsall Drive car park as evidence of a pattern.
- Respondents highlighted the multifaceted value of allotments, including benefits for mental health and wellbeing, food security through growing fresh produce, community connections, biodiversity, and access to green spaces for those without gardens.
- There was strong willingness to take action, with most indicating they would sign petitions, contact local councillors, attend council meetings, join peaceful demonstrations, share campaign messages on social media, and volunteer for protection efforts.