The South Glos Post

Labour councillors in South Gloucestershire have queried the ruling Conservative Cabinet’s decision to buy a plot of land at a price described by officials as “above the estimated market value”.

The land is a play area at Williams Close in Longwell Green, the ward represented by the Conservative-run Council’s leader. A new private owner acquired the land last year and has given the council notice to vacate, having failed to obtain residential planning permission. A deal has now been approved with the price being paid at £17,000 above its assessed worth.

At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting the Conservatives voted to purchase the freehold land from the owner for £50,000, although council officials acknowledge in the supporting report that this figure was “above the estimated market value (circa £33,000)”.

Labour’s Deputy Leader Cllr Pat Apps was at the meeting and queried whether this represents best value for money. Cllr Apps (Labour, Kings Chase) said:

“I recognise and support the value of play areas to local communities, but it appears in this case that the owner is calling the shots and has the council over a barrel.  Can this expenditure over and above market value be justified as best value for money?”

Council officials insisted at the meeting that the price was appropriate and reasonable as it will secure a long-standing community asset.

More: Concern over £1 buy-back option in land deal »

Source: South Gloucestershire Labour

A programme of modernising facilities for people with disabilities has been completed at three leisure centres in South Gloucestershire.

Longwell Green, Yate and Bradley Stoke leisure centres have all had their disabled toilets improved and new equipment installed, including the introduction of hoists.

The council has been working closely with South Gloucestershire Leisure, and the investment from the council is part of the Changing Places national campaign.

Councillor Heather Goddard, executive member for community services, said: “These improvements will benefit people with disabilities and make visiting our leisure centres a better experience. They are part of the council’s rolling programme of investment in leisure facilities.”

Mark Crutchley, chief executive of South Gloucestershire Leisure, which runs the facilities on behalf of the council, said: “These changing rooms are now more modern and fit-for-purpose and feedback we’ve already had is demonstrating how successful the work has been.”

“By helping people maintain their health and wellbeing in surroundings of a high standard, it ensures we retain our position at the heart of the diverse community across South Gloucestershire.”

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Longwell Green residents, MP Chris Skidmore and local councillors Christine Price and John Calway are celebrating after saving the local Green Belt from being bulldozed by developers after a hard-fought community campaign.

The long-running campaign collected nearly 1,000 petition signatures and a protest demonstration was held with over 200 local residents turning up to show the strength of support for their local Green Belt.

The victory comes as an independent Planning Inspector dismissed an appeal for 83 houses on a Green Belt site at Williams Close, Longwell Green, following a four-day appeal hearing.

Cllr Christine Price (Con, Longwell Green), who attended the appeal hearing, welcomed the news:

“The tireless efforts of local residents made a huge difference in terms of demonstrating the strength of local feeling that there was against this hugely inappropriate application.”

“The Green Belt is there for a reason and I am pleased to see that the inspector has exposed as nonsense the developer’s claim that special circumstances existed for such a damaging development.”

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

A scheme to relieve congestion and improve road safety at the Marsham Way roundabout on the Avon Ring Road (near the Longwell Green Asda) is now fully operational.

New traffic lights which control three arms of this busy junction have been switched on and are helping to ease congestion at peak times, along with extra lanes.

Councillor Brian Allinson, South Gloucestershire Council’s executive member for planning, transportation and the strategic environment, said: “We are committed to working hard to keep traffic moving smoothly at this ring road junction, which has seen an unprecedented amount of new development in recent years.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council