Berryhill Fields have been sold by the Labour-led City Council for £5m.
Berryhill fields, often considered the green-lungs of the city have been sold in a cash-grab by Labour Councillors for a fee believed to be around £5m.
Campaigners, local residents and Conservative Councillors, including current Councillor Heather Blurton have campaigned successfully for a number of years to retain the fields in their current, undeveloped state as a community space for the local community. Under the Conservative-led Council, the fields remained undeveloped and Conservatives promised to ensure that whilst they remained in office, the fields would remain undeveloped.
However, less than a year into their administration, Labour have sold Berryhill fields in a cash-grab to plug funding gaps within the council budget. This comes after the Labour Councillors rejected proposals to raise funds through cuts to staff terms and conditions which are often more generous at Stoke Council than elsewhere in the country.
Conservative Councillor Heather Blurton, Ward Councillor for Eaton Park and Bucknall said
"I'm disgusted that Labour have sold Berryhill Fields. Less than a year into their administration, they've taken the decision to sell the land against the wishes of local residents. The truth is they simply couldn't wait to sell the land. They never back residents or campaigners when they tried to get the fields protected from development and unlike the Conservatives who stood by residents and promised to protect the fields, Labour have acted as quickly as they could to see the fields off."
"This is a massive loss to residents and to the wider city. The fields weren't just greenspace for residents to use, they were the green lungs of the city and one of the last few real greenspaces left for residents to enjoy in Stoke-on-Trent. But thats the reality - elect a Labour Group who talk about net zero and 15 minute cities and what you actually get is a party without any plans who sell off the family silver the first opportunity they get."
