Why did council give away land for free?

As the former local councillor who opposed a park and ride on the Bathampton Meadows, from the outset, I am delighted that the National Trust (NT) has now acquired the area and will protect it from development.

However, I am perplexed that in gaining ownership, the NT paid the “full commercial value” for the portion adjoining, previously in private hands, while the larger portion owned by the council – that is, of course, us, the public – was given away for nothing.

The NT’S laudable aim to create a “green corridor” by the river could only happen if it owned both portions of land.

The deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development, along with the leader, repeatedly say B&NES is strapped for cash. So, it seems odd he felt no need to instruct officers to negotiate some sort of price, commercial or not, on our behalf, for the council portion.

What an opportunity missed by the council to lessen, for instance, the insistence on increasing parking charges in Bath, and Midsomer Norton, which will simply drive shoppers away from the town centres, exacerbating the problems of a dying High Street even more.

Even the simplest tradesman would at least have bartered for the site. The NT could have been offered a discount. Even at half price, the land would have generated much-needed funds for B&NES. Giving it away free, at the same time as the NT was negotiating to buy the land next door, is at best culpable economic improvidence by a council still frittering away public funds on pet projects.

I have no doubt the council will want to charge local taxpayers even more in the next budget to cover their financial embarrassment. The saying is true that fools and money are often parted, but in this instance, it is us residents who will pick up the bill!

Alderman Martin Veal Bath