Wendy Flynn, speaking for the Cheltenham Green Party, said:

“The viability study included in this planning application suggests abandoning social rental units completely. This is absolutely unacceptable. We cannot allow developers to prioritize their 20% profit margins over the fundamental housing needs of our community.”

“The local planning guidance requiring 35% affordable housing, with 75% social rented and 25% shared ownership, exists for good reason,” Flynn continued. “If we allow one developer to deviate from these requirements, others will follow suit, and we risk losing truly affordable housing across the entire development.”

The Green Party warns that approving this application would set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading other developers, including Cheltenham Borough Council, to make similar claims about viability.

“When we allow developers to erode affordable housing provisions, we’re not just building buildings – we’re dismantling community opportunities,” Flynn emphasized. “We call on councillors to stand firm on affordable housing requirements. If financial compromises must be made, they should come from reduced developer profits, not from cutting vital social housing provision.”

The post Green Party Condemns Threat to Affordable Housing in West Cheltenham Development appeared first on South West Green Party.

Responding to the government’s White Paper on the reorganisation of local government, they expressed support for the Government’s intention to devolve power to a more local level. But they highlighted the danger to local democracy that could come from Labour’s proposals to move decision-making to regional mayors and replace England’s 164 district councils – the tier of local government closest to communities – with large new unitary councils with populations over half a million.

 Cllr Adrian Birch, Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, said: “The big problem with Labour’s plans is the democratic deficit. These plans will mean scrapping district councils across Gloucestershire, with local services being controlled by vast councils that are remote from our communities.

“As Greens, we want decisions to be made as close as possible to the people most affected, and we will champion our local communities’ voices, so that views from all corners of the county are heard.”

Cllr Catherine Braun, Leader of Stroud District Council, said: “It’s clear that the Government is committed to council reform, and we will do our utmost to get the best possible outcome for a greener and more prosperous future for people in Gloucestershire.

“I welcome the principle of devolution, the new powers to improve bus and train services, and stronger rights for communities to buy assets, like youth clubs and sport facilities. However, I’m concerned about the concentration of power in the hands of a few individual mayors who could place national politics over the needs of Gloucestershire communities.”

Cllr Cate Cody, Leader of the Green Groups at Gloucestershire County Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council, said the proposals risk deepening existing disillusionment and cynicism about politics: “Evidence shows that creating larger councils erodes local democracy, having a negative impact on trust in councillors, public engagement and voter turnout. With a much bigger distance between voters and the councils that serve them, there’s a real risk that people will feel disengaged from local democracy. 

“Maintaining trust in local government will be key for the decisions ahead so I would like to see this reform as an opportunity to renew and strengthen our democratic institutions, and to introduce a fair proportional voting system for local elections.” 

The post Local government reorganisation will “steal power away from local people”, say Gloucestershire Green leaders appeared first on South West Green Party.

“With its obsessive focus on housing numbers, Labour’s new planning framework fails to take the holistic approach to housing that is needed. We have already seen the results of this numbers game in Exeter from previous house building targets – the wrong homes in the wrong places that are way too expensive for most people. Exeter has seen a string of developments that have ripped out green spaces on the edges of the city and delivered high-priced, car-dependent homes with little or no infrastructure in the way of doctor’s surgeries, schools, shops or public transport.  

“Furthermore, painting the local planning process as the ‘block’ on achieving housing targets is misguided and an insult to local democracy. 

“Misguided because District planning authorities already approve around nine in 10 planning applications they receive and there are currently over a million homes with planning consent in the UK waiting to be built. In Exeter there are 5289 homes that have planning permission but developers are sitting on the land and not getting on with it. 

“And an insult to local democracy because local people and those elected to represent them should have the right to have a say over major changes to their local community. Instead, the government seems happy to bulldoze its way through the local planning system and pander to the interests of private developers whose main interest is lining their pockets.

“Most importantly, homes must be built to meet the needs of local communities, rather than what offers developers the greatest profit. That means a high proportion of new homes must be truly affordable council and social housing built to the highest environmental standards so energy bills are kept low. Exeter Council’s own passivhaus council houses have shown the way. We need far more of these types of homes and less executive homes which are out of reach for so many people.

“We know that many Labour District Councils are distinctly unhappy at the changes proposed by the reforms of the National Planning Policy Framework. Labour-led Exeter City Council must bend the ear of government and tell them firmly that the city needs the right homes in the right place at the right price. Any planning policy that fails those tests is not fit for purpose.”    

The post Exeter Greens respond to Labour’s National Planning Policy Framework: misguided and an insult to local democracy appeared first on South West Green Party.

Both happened at locations where the community has long campaigned for crossings or other road safety improvements, campaigns that Cllr Chloe Turner, Green county councillor for the area, says have been “largely ignored”.

In Minchinhampton, a 12-year-old girl was knocked down by a car while crossing from the bus stop on the Cirencester Road on her way home from school on November 21. Though her injuries were minor, the girl was very shaken and residents say the outcome could easily have been far worse. They are asking for a pelican crossing as this busy road passes through Minchinhampton to make the road safe for pedestrians crossing it to catch buses and get to the town centre.

Hannah Beardshall, mother of the injured girl, said: “Like lots of other local parents, we’ve been quietly worried about the Cirencester Road for years. We all know it’s dangerous; all three of our girls need to cross it daily to catch buses to school and college.

“We are relieved that our daughter wasn’t seriously injured in this frightening accident; it could have been so much worse. This is a wake-up call for all of us. Our community deserves safer roads, and it’s clear that a new pedestrian crossing is needed on this dangerous stretch of busy A road.

“No family should have to live in fear of something like this happening again. We urge the county council to take action and hope they can act quickly using our experience as momentum, before another child is more seriously injured.”

Less than two weeks later, in Chalford, an 11-year-old girl was hit by a car as she walked to school on December 3, sustaining a broken bone and concussion. Residents there want a zebra crossing where children can cross the Fourways junction when walking from Chalford Hill to Thomas Keble school. The petition also calls for the 30mph signs to be moved further out of the village, to give drivers more notice to slow from 60mph to 30mph before reaching the junction. Chalford’s Green district councillors Tricia Watson, Helen Fenton and James Boyle are backing the residents’ campaign.

Bev Roesen, administrator for Chalford’s Frith Youth Centre, organised her petition after being first at the scene of the accident. She said: “It was really shocking to see what happened. The outcome could easily have been far worse. Something really needs to be done urgently.”

Cllr Chloe Turner, Green county councillor for Minchinhampton division, which covers both of the affected areas, said: “In the Local Transport Plan, the County Council talks of providing ‘an inclusive safe, reliable and efficient highway environment that encourages walking, and provides pedestrian links to connect communities, employment and services’. Yet the county council has still taken no meaningful action to provide safe crossings, despite years of campaigning alongside residents by me and my predecessor, Cllr Rachel Smith (Green).

“Local highways managers do their best with tiny budgets, but the county council has largely ignored and under-funded rural road safety – and the rural road network more generally – for decades, and now we see the result.

“My heart goes out to the families of the children who have been hurt in these incidents, which could easily have been fatalities. With the inevitable having happened, it is vital the County Council now allocates the funding needed to address the serious risk to pedestrians at both sites.”

Cllr Turner pointed out that the danger will get significantly worse in Minchinhampton when the new surgery in Cirencester Road opens in the spring. “When the surgery opens, many more pedestrians will need to cross the road, often during rush hour and in the dark,” she said. “It is outrageous that GCC have not proposed a formal pedestrian crossing, only a raised table. The increased risk, especially to vulnerable residents, makes this option wholly inadequate to ensure public safety on such a busy road.”

To sign the petitions, go to:

Chalford: https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=111&RPID=142230386&%24LO%24=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0r_7uGNxxNiF_-vaW_8hX-7-UieqAwtK–OrLNhVblZaR11rT1qFLoalE_aem_0OVCtHI0QVElWzsa4eOFkg&TPID=142235101&$LO$=1

Minchinhampton: https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=110&RPID=142220526&HPID=142220526&$LO$=1

The post Residents demand council provides pedestrian crossings after two children hit by cars appeared first on South West Green Party.

Green councillor Andy Ketchin said:

“While Labour accelerated towards turning the bus station site into a car park, Exeter Greens set out to engage with local people to find out what they really wanted. Our survey resulted in over 400 suggestions, only one of which included a car park. Popular suggestions included a green space, city park or plaza and a market square or commercial space to showcase local businesses and Devon produce. Other creative ideas included a children’s play park and an arts or performance space.”

Leader of the Green group on Exeter City Council, Cllr Diana Moore, added:

“Clearly the public in Exeter are far more creative than the Labour-run Council and see this as an opportunity to develop this prime city centre space in interesting and exciting ways both in the short and longer term. This week I called on the Labour leadership to creatively collaborate with the community and local businesses and it is a step forward that they have agreed to a public consultation. Hopefully they will get the message loud and clear: no to a car park; yes to something special and distinctive.”

The post Exeter Green Party secure public consultation on future of former bus station site  appeared first on South West Green Party.

The City Council’s leisure centres went cashless in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. However, a promised Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) to examine the impact of this policy has yet to take place, raising concerns about fairness for residents who rely on cash.

Green Party councillor James Banyard took up the issue after being approached by residents unable to pay for leisure services with cash. He said:

“People should be able to make a splash with their cash. Refusing cash is discriminatory and unfair. The Council pledged to investigate the impact of this policy, but it has never happened.

“Residents have told me that the cashless policy makes it harder—if not impossible—for them to access leisure services. Swimming and leisure activities are vital for health and wellbeing and should be available to everyone, without unnecessary barriers such as registering, giving an email address and only paying by card. It seems obvious that the Labour-run City Council should accept cash payments.”

According to the latest figures from the Financial Conduct Authority [1], around 1.1 million adults in the UK remain unbanked, and many rely solely on cash to manage their day-to-day finances.

Councillor Banyard added:

“Not taking payments in cash disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including older residents, and individuals with limited access to digital payment methods. There are also people in the city who don’t have bank accounts. I’m calling on the Labour-run City Council to reinstate a cash payment option at all Council-run leisure facilities.”

Councillor Banyard is also calling on the Council to conduct the long-overdue Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) to assess the barriers faced by cash-reliant residents and commit to an inclusive payment system for all Council services to ensure fairness for all residents. He has tabled a question on this issue to the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee this Thursday, 28 November.

The post Green Councillor calls on City Council to let residents ‘make a splash with their cash’ appeared first on South West Green Party.

Key Points of the Motion:

• Rent Controls: Call for government powers to introduce rent controls in B&NES to keep housing affordable.
• Capping Short-Term Lets: Propose limits on short-term holiday rentals in high-demand areas and stronger planning rules for properties rented over 90 days a year.
• End Right to Buy: Urge an end to the Right to Buy scheme to protect social housing stock and enable councils to build more homes.
• Reclaiming Empty Homes: Explore incentives for refurbishing empty properties and expand Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to bring unused homes back into use.

Councillor Joanna Wright, Leader of the Green Group, commented:

“Our city’s tourism generates nearly half a billion pounds each year, but local people are struggling with rising housing costs. House prices in B&NES have jumped over 72% in the last decade, and rents rose by 5.2% in the past year alone. Families are being pushed out of their own neighbourhoods. This must change.

“Affordable housing is important, but social housing is vital for those most in need. We need a balanced approach that supports everyone—from young families to older residents seeking security.”

Councillor Saskia Heijltjes added: 

“Short-term holiday lets are contributing to the housing squeeze, with over 1,000 properties listed in Bath alone. Rent controls and caps on these lets are essential to keep the city liveable for residents.

“We must also end Right to Buy, which has reduced social housing stock for too long. Empty homes shouldn’t sit unused while people need homes. Let’s take action now to ensure our community remains vibrant and inclusive.”

The Green Group’s motion seeks immediate steps to prioritise residents’ needs, balance the benefits of tourism, and make Bath and North East Somerset a place where people can thrive.

The motion received 40 votes against, 4 for and 4 abstentions.

[ENDS]

Anna Mounteney – Green Group Political Support Officer 

Telephone: 07539746656

Email: anna_mounteney@bathnes.gov.uk

The post B&NES Greens Demand Urgent Action to Tackle Housing Crisis appeared first on South West Green Party.

Despite expectations that Vision Zero would be on the agenda for last Thursday’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, it was instead subsumed within a Cabinet Member update – an approach the Green Group describes as inadequate for such an important issue. Without a dedicated agenda item, the public wasn’t properly informed and was denied the opportunity to contribute, obstructing meaningful scrutiny.

The situation worsened when Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, a Panel member, was requested to submit her statement in full in advance of the meeting. The BathNES Green Group challenged this request. This forced Saskia’s to submit the statement’s title to Democratic Services and speak as a member of the public.

Councillor Joanna Wright stepped in and substituted for Saskia. This highlights wider issues with how Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels are run at B&NES, including poor preparation, restricted time for questions, and weak scrutiny.

Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, who proposed the motion, said:
“We are disappointed by the lack of transparency and engagement around Vision Zero. The motion was passed a year ago, and it stated that the administration would be reporting back to the relevant scrutiny panel in 12 months. Public safety is at stake, and we need to be sure that real action is being taken.”

Recent serious incidents, including a teenager taken to hospital after being hit by a driver on Newbridge Road and a woman seriously injured in a collision on Mount Road, underscore the urgency of Vision Zero. These collisions highlight the need for up-to-date data to inform highway projects. The Green Group is calling for better access to up-to-date information on fatalities and serious injuries to guide future decisions.

The motion outlined several key steps to reduce casualties, including:

• Enforcing 20mph zones and safer driving practices in partnership with the police.
• Identifying the 10 most dangerous locations for targeted improvements.
• Expanding school streets and promoting cycling by council officers.

However, the Green Group has raised concerns about the removal of key cycling infrastructure in new projects and the lack of adherence to best practice guidelines, such as LTN 1/20, in recent consultations.

Councillor Heijltjes added:
“To achieve Vision Zero, we need to follow best practices and take bold, evidence-based action. We need clear, consistent policies that prioritise safety above all else.”

The Green Group is now calling for a dedicated Vision Zero update at the next meeting in January or March 2025, to ensure the issue receives the attention it deserves.

Green leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, concluded:
“Vision Zero is not just a bold goal, it’s a necessary one. Every day of delay puts more lives at risk. We need immediate, decisive action to make our streets safer for all.”

The post Greens Demand Action on Vision Zero to End Road Deaths in B&NES appeared first on South West Green Party.

Heather said:

‘We’ve seen in recent elections that there is a real appetite for green solutions in the West Country. I hope to add to our Green wins across the region this year and offer a vision of real hope and real change.

‘Building on this success, Greens are offering a positive alternative to Labour’s failed regional leadership. The Regional Authority offers us a fantastic opportunity to invest in our regional transport network and to build a green economy by creating good-quality jobs across our region.

‘We have been a consistently poorly performing authority, largely due to the lack of a serious commitment to public transport and vocational skills.  As WECA leader, I would have the courage to use the powers and funding that go with the role to deliver the mass transit and sustained economic success our region needs.’

Heather now lives in Bristol and as a councillor has represented an under-served urban ward since 2021. However, she grew up in a council estate in rural Devon so she understands farming communities and the problem of rural deprivation. Before becoming elected, Heather worked for Oxfam and on sustainable food systems, which is particularly relevant for rural economic development within the region. 

For more information about Heather please contact press@bristolgreenparty.org.uk

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Green Party Councillor Diana Moore said,

“Two years ago I formally requested that the Local Plan undergo proper scrutiny, as it does in other councils. That request was approved by the Council a number of times, but councillors have only ever received process reports about the Plan’s development. So, at this crucial final stage, we are still in the dark. 

“The Local Plan will direct where at least 12,840 new homes will be built, what sort of housing this will be and how much of it will be affordable; it will detail how the Council expects to address climate change, restore our green spaces and protect local heritage; how it will prevent flooding provide local infrastructure such as schools and healthcare; and set out transport plans which prevent gridlock and keep our city moving.” 

“Labour’s dash for development means we have no idea if the Plan will do these things or which representations from communities or councillors on behalf of their communities have been included in the final draft. It is an absolute failure of the Council’s governance to  examine the Plan which will seal Exeter’s development for two decades.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Mitchell said,

“The new Labour Government has introduced higher housing targets, expected to come into force in June 2025 [2]. Now Exeter’s Labour-led council is rushing this plan through, choosing to ignore the scrutiny process and hoping to avoid having to meet those targets. This is risky as the Plan could be rejected by the Planning Inspector as it doesn’t meet the new Government targets. 

“Over the past two years the Progressive Group have welcomed the public consultation process but now Labour need to be accountable for what they have chosen to include in – and leave out of – the Local Plan. So, I proposed a sensible motion at last Thursday’s scrutiny meeting for an additional session ahead of 3rd December to allow councillors an opportunity to scrutinise the plan. But this was voted down by 6 Labour Councillors, who have completely disrespected the role and status of scrutiny and the future of our city.”  

The post “Most important decision Exeter City Council will make” being pushed through without scrutiny in “dash for development”, warns Progressive Group appeared first on South West Green Party.