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The NWL Labour Group has proposed a draft policy change to offer new green and blue spaces on housing estates to District, Town and Parish Councils first.
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The change would help reduce reliance on management companies, where high charges and a lack of transparency are a major concern for residents.
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The move follows campaigning by Cllr Dr Terri Eynon to help residents take over a management company in Hugglescote, alongside national work by Amanda Hack MP responding to residents’ concerns.
The Labour Group has successfully proposed a significant draft policy change that will strengthen the long-term stewardship of green spaces and community assets created through new developments.
The proposed policy ensures that when major developments include new open space, vegetation, pond areas, or community facilities, there must be a clear and sustainable plan in place for their management, maintenance, and public access. Crucially, the policy introduces a new requirement that the district, parish or town council are given the first opportunity to take on these responsibilities, before private management companies are considered.
This is currently not a standard process, with many new estates having to pay high management fees to private companies to maintain these spaces, often battling a lack of transparency and confusion as to who should be maintaining these areas.
This change marks an important step toward keeping public assets in public hands, improving accountability, and ensuring that local communities have a stronger voice in how their shared spaces are managed.
“Residents on new build estates have spoken to me about their green spaces being looked after by private management companies with little accountability, transparency, and rising costs." - Cllr Terri Eynon
Welcoming the change, Cllr Dr Terri Eynon said:
“When out chatting to residents on new build estates, many have spoken to me about their green spaces being looked after by private management companies with little accountability, transparency, and rising costs. This policy change would ensure that councils and local communities are at the heart of decision-making, with the resources and structures needed to protect these spaces for the long term.
Many parish and town councils are keen to take on these spaces and provide an improved service for local residents, as they already do with many of our excellent green spaces across the district. This policy change will give them that exact opportunity.
I know our MP, Amanda Hack, is also working hard on this issue at a national level. It was a pleasure to attend her roundtable discussion with residents, where we heard firsthand their concerns. That feedback, alongside experiences of working with residents to take over their management company, strengthened our policy proposal and reinforced the need to push for local change.”
"As a Town Council, taking on new green spaces is something we have long been calling for." - Cllr Dave Bigby
Ashby Town and District Councillor for Willesley Ward, David Bigby said:
“As a Town Council, taking on new green spaces is something we have long been calling for, and I’m really pleased this positive change has been proposed for the draft Local Plan.
When local councils take responsibility for this new infrastructure, it gives residents greater clarity over who is accountable and enables us to maintain these spaces to the same high standards as our existing parks and green spaces.”
The Labour Group believes this policy will lead to better maintained public spaces, fairer outcomes for residents, and stronger local democratic oversight.
The proposed policy will now move forward as part of the wider draft local plan, which will shortly be subject to another public consultation.