Liberal Democrat councillors in St Albans have welcomed a decision which means a much-loved open space is one step nearer to being preserved.
People who live near Gloucester Park have been trying to preserve the land by having it listed as an “Asset of Community Value” (ACV).
Cllr Anthony Rowlands and Cllr Jamie Day, both Liberal Democrat councillors for Hill End, standing in Gloucester Park
Now St Albans City and District Council has confirmed that Gloucester Park has been given ACV status.
Gloucester Park, also known as Gloucester Fields, is an area of undeveloped land among houses near Highfield Park. It’s treasured by people who live nearby both as a green lung for the neighbourhood around it, and as a traffic-free path through to the larger green spaces of Highfield.
The ruling means that the land will be protected from any sale for at least six months.
Jamie Day, councillor for Hill End, says he’s pleased with the decision.
“This is great news for everyone in Hill End and nearby who uses Gloucester Park. It’s particularly good news for the people who have it on their doorstep, who were facing real uncertainty over the future of the land bordering their homes.”
He’s also being supported by fellow Hill End representative and Liberal Democrat county councillor for St Albans East, Anthony Rowlands.
The land, between Drakes Drive and Hill End Lane, was a legacy of the former hospital estates in the area. Decisions regarding the area have previously fallen to Colney Heath Parish Council, which had put forward plans to sell it, but new boundary changes will put decisions into the hands of St Albans City and District Council from April this year. The ACV listing means there can be no sale of the land during a six-month period.