Lib Dems herald EHDC's Spectacular U-turn on Selling off Public Open Space

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 20th Oct 2008

East Hampshire Liberal Democrats have welcomed EHDC's spectacular U-turn on the sale of areas of public open space.

Adam Carew said "This is a spectacular u-turn by Tory led EHDC. Lib Dems first raised fears about the sale of public open space earlier this year which they believed was akin to "selling off the family silver".

13 plots were originally being looked at across the District.

Adam said "This is public open space we are talking about - it is there for a reason and should be held in trust by the District Council for the local community not sold off to swell the Council coffers.

"The district is there to provide excellent services for its residents but its being run more and more like a business - but to date the Tories plans to turn EHDC into a money making operation have not proved very successful.

"Important matters like this should have been properly debated by full council. Instead elected members on both sides were side stepped and it was just discussed at Cabinet.

"This is a spectacular climb down and victory for residents and common sense."

Former EHDC Lib Dem Leader Dr Tony Ludlow said "Once Lib Dems exposed this in the local press it became increasingly apparent that the public were totally opposed to this ill thought out sale of public land. This is the most spectacular U-turn since we secured a complete turn around in Tory plans to reduce or axe travel tokens to the over 60s in 2004/5.

"Once again the Conservatives have shown that they remain totally out of touch with public opinion. This U-turn is very welcome but they have still failed to listen to people about the hikes in car parking charges, Sunday Parking and the ludicrous removal of Alton's Tourist Information Centre."