Agenda item

1.

Question from Mr Poulter to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

Can I ask please, why the proposed allotment project on Weaver’s Field, Warden Hill is still being pursued, when even our own MP Martin Horwood has publicly stated his grave concerns and opposition to it , the two local Parish Councils, namely Leckhampton with Warden Hill, and Up Hatherley have rejected it….

the former being the authority responsible for the provision of allotments in our area, and the second being the Parish Council covering the area which the Member proposing this project represents …

and how does this fit in with the ‘Localism Bill’, because the provision of allotments in this location will restrict ‘Public Use’ of this beautiful green open space, in favour of a Minority?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

Localism involves listening to all the local people and groups, not just those who are opposed, but also those people who are anxious to gain an allotment in order to grow their own produce, something which many people would want to encourage. The council also has a legal obligation to supply allotments.

Councillors are continuing to listen, and certainly open to modifying the proposal in ways which improve the public amenity for enjoying the views from the hill, walking dogs and so on.

Supplementary question from Mr Poulter

When you say “Localism involves listening to all..” are you aware that as well as the 1020 that signed the petition there are hundreds of people in Leckhampton that are against the allotments compared to the 80 or so that would benefit from them?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

I look at it differently.  There are hundreds of people on the waiting list for allotments and the fact is there are two groups of people saying two very different things and as a Cabinet Member I must look at both and the bigger picture of Cheltenham as a whole.

2.

Question from Mrs John to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

Back in  2005 when the Council’s website referred to the exciting future development in Weavers  Field, a group of volunteers was formed,  ‘’Friends of Weavers Field’, to try and protect the area.

We fundraised and worked closely with John Crowther, the then Assistant Director- Green Environment and Mr. James Blockly, Borough Council Conservation Officer, to maintain this valuable space.  Mr. Crowther promised to work closely with interested residents to protect and enhance the nature conservation value and bio-diversity of Weavers Field for the greater benefit of all.

Can the Cabinet Member Sustainability advise what bio-diversity studies have been done with regards to the impact on protected species such as bats, slow worms etc which are regularly seen?

As the late Councillor Ken Buckland wrote as long ago as March 1997 in respect of Weaver’s Field, ‘these small pockets of green open space in our community are always worth fighting for’.

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

An ecological study has been completed which can be made available to all, and which demonstrates that no significant impact would be made by converting a part of the hill to allotments.

On the general question of future usage of Weavers’ Field following the transfer of the land to the Council, there were various discussions over the last decade in terms of how best to use it, which I am advised never really got beyond the general commitment not to build houses on it. In particular the possibility to create a nature reserve was not pursued because of insufficient public support, neither was the idea of a public recreation facility.

Supplementary question from Mrs John

You talk about lack of public support for a nature reserve or public recreation facility but why can’t the Council just leave it as the unspoiled haven that it is for people to enjoy?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

The Council is in a difficult position.  It’s easy to say leave Weavers Field and use another site but the fact is that there are only a small number of sites and the Council has a statutory duty to provide allotments which it is looking to do within these constraints.

3.

Question from Mr Smiles to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

In respect of Weaver’s Field, Warden Hill, I feel that Cheltenham Borough Council should be very proud of this beautiful field and hill, which is an Oasis in the middle of a suburban area and the only green space left in the area kept in its natural state that local people of all ages can walk to.  Given the information about the history of the field and hill and bearing in mind its historical aspect, has the Cabinet Member sought advice from the Heritage and Conservation Manager?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

There have certainly been discussions with the Planning department, and no objections raised in principle. Weavers Field is formerly farmland. The conservation officer reports that the field has no special historic features or special conservation legislation controlling its development.

Supplementary question from Mr Smiles

I assume there is a report which formally sets out the opinion of the Planning department and given the level of public objection why do you want to deprive so many people of this beautiful place.

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

Only a preliminary response has been provided by the Planning department at this stage, though this was in writing.  A formal response would be sought as the result of any future Planning application and this would be available to the public.  I have been impressed by the arguments put forward by the public on this matter and these will form part of my consideration of whether the scheme can be modified.

4.

Question from Mr Rastelli to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

Council members are being asked to make a decision about whether or not to take the Weaver’s Field proposal forward. How many of the Council have actually visited this site and experienced exactly what it is?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

Council members will not be making that decision in this meeting (25/06/12), and it would be most unusual for an entire Council to visit a site. However local ward members have visited it, including myself, and it is to be expected that before any application goes to the Planning Committee, their members would visit the site.

Following my visits, I would add that the amenity value of the hill is not lost on me, and the Council would certainly want to take this into full account in discussions as to how and where to site allotments on Weavers Field.

Supplementary question from Mr Rastelli

Can you assure me that all members visit the site before any decision is taken?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

I can’t give that assurance or speak for other members, but I certainly hope they would.

5.

Question from Mr John to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

In the light of the overwhelming strength of local feeling in respect of the Weaver’s Field, Warden Hill allotment proposal, has any consideration been given to a full debate being undertaken In the Council chamber over this matter?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

Clearly Council members will have opportunities in the debate over the petition, and I am confident that will be conducted so as to represent the range of views. However, the constitution of the Council is such that the decision will not (and cannot) be taken by full Council. It is a decision for cabinet, and which would in turn require a full debate of the Planning committee in the Council chamber.

6.

Question from Mr John to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

Can the cabinet member confirm what consideration has been given to the availability of farmland in a nearby location, which I understand has been offered by a farmer, to be sold or leased to the Council?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

The Council is actively looking at land across mainly the south of Cheltenham, including farmland, council owned land, and anything else which may become available, but in reality people are not eager to sell or lease land. CBC is not aware of any such offer from a farmer, but would be very willing to discuss such an offer if it was made.

Supplementary question from Mr John

Are you aware that Councillor Regan has details of such an offer?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

No I was not aware but I would be happy to discuss this with her if this is the case.

7.

Question from Mr Jones to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jordan

As Friends of Weavers Field, we have had over 850 cumulative years of sworn statements that support formal designation of Weavers Field as a Village Green. Added to this overwhelming local demand, may we ask the Leader of Borough Council to also support the application and confirm this in writing with Gloucestershire County Council?

Response from the Leader

I’m not sure what ‘850 cumulative years of sworn statements’ means although hope it doesn’t mean this has been an issue since 1162.

While I haven’t seen the application I am more than happy to look into this matter to see if it is something I can assist with. However, I understand the application is deemed legally invalid by the County Council.

Supplementary question from Mr Jones

With your answer in mind, is the Leader aware that his statement regarding the application having been deemed legally invalid by the County Council is incorrect?

Response from the Leader

I am not able to comment on behalf of the County Council.

8.

Question from Mr Jones to Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

Can the Cabinet member please confirm why the Parish Council responsible for allotment provision in the Weavers Field were not consulted on the proposal?

This seems very odd bearing in mind that our Parish Council (as has the Cabinet member’s own Parish council) have written to the Borough Council confirming they do not support the proposal in any form.

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

Parish councils are responsible for statutory allotments within their area. The allotments proposed at Weavers Field would be non statutory allotments and would remain the responsibility of the Borough Council.

A meeting was in fact set up for me to attend Leckhampton with Warden Hill Parish council’s meeting on March 1^st with the Parks Development manager, but it was they who advised that it might be better for us to organise something independently which we did at Brizen Young Peoples Centre. The Brizen exhibition was well attended, by both the public and parish council members.

Supplementary question from Mr Jones

Are you aware that the information presented at the Brizen exhibition was incorrect and misleading?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability

I am not aware that the information presented at the Brizen exhibition was incorrect or misleading but I am aware of these claims and do not accept these assertions.  The information presented was presented in good faith.