Local authorities across England plan to sell-off £13.5 billion of land and assets to property developers over the next five years as councils look for more ways to turn assets into sources of revenue - to make up the shortfall in the reduction of the block grant from central government - to help support local services. For example, Mendip Council are considering selling-off our small football pitch and play park in the Mount in Frome. It is a facility which is enjoyed and well used by local residents of all ages for various recreational activities. What really angers me is that on one hand our local and national politicians argue that obesity in our young is a time-bomb, yet on the other they are stealing our parks which they have no right to sell as they do not belong to them. Moreover, I doubt the land sale will be subjected to a proviso to provide affordable housing as this would significantly reduce the asking price. Of course, we need affordable housing, but this smacks of short-sighted short-term desperation. IMHO I can’t see how an unregulated private housing sector will provide genuine affordable housing for rent or to buy for most prospective ‘first timers’. Perhaps, if we viewed property, primarily as a home and not as a financial investment, I might be proved wrong.
