Decision details

To enter into a Deed of Dedication with Gloucestershire County Council covering an area of public open space at Pittville Park for the purposes of facilitating the A435 Cheltenham to Bishops Cleeve cycleway.

As part of the implementation of the A435 cycleway, GCC will be undertaking improvement works at some locations on CBC owned land at Pittville Park. On completion of the works, the land utilised will be form part of the in-use cycleway and subsequently transferred to the County by way of a Dedication Agreement.

Disposal of public open space will be advertised pursuant to s123 of the Local Government Act 1972, and any objections to the proposals will be considered by Cabinet. The proposed use of the land is not unfitting with the use generally associated with a public park and the works will deliver improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, residents and park users.

In addition to the considerable sum of investment in the project by GCC, the finished improvements will help to encourage walking and cycling, improving the health and well being of our community as well as supporting and contributing towards the priorities of CBC’s Corporate Plan and Net Zero ambitions.

The Council could consider rejecting the request however by doing so, the investment for the improvements would be lost. There is not sufficient capacity in current budgets or resources for works of this size and scale.

The Council also considered not proceeding with the project however this was rejected due to the fact

that the project is contributes to fundamental priorities of the Corporate Plan and Net Zero ambitions.

GCC have undertaken consultation with local groups who frequently use the park, ward councillors, local residents, Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Designing Out Crime officer and CBC officers.

The feedback back has informed the designs of the improvements and is overwhelmingly supportive of the proposals.