Green councillors have warned that green spaces in Exeter are under threat. The warning comes after the Deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, gave the green light for councils to sell off allotments to raise funds [1], and a decision locally by Exeter’s Labour-run council that will require them to sell twice as much of a playing field for an energy project than originally planned [2].
Green councillor Lynn Wetenhall said:
“It is clear Labour cannot be trusted to safeguard the local environment and nature. Now that the government has given the OK to sell off allotments to raise funds we will have to be on our guard against this happening in Exeter. Angela Rayner has already approved the sale of eight allotment sites across England since Labour came to power.
“Green councillors will be seeking reassurance from the Labour leader that none of the city’s allotments will be flogged off to raise cash or for development.
“Allotments are valuable green spaces that promote physical and mental health and help with local food security. They provide important lungs for the city and offer a sanctuary for nature. They are priceless and they must never be up for sale.”
Green councillors also plan to ask the Labour administration of Exeter City council about the sale of more of the field in the protected River Valley Park for an energy project.
Green councillor Andy Ketchin said:
“Labour are bulldozing through a decision to sell twice as much greenfield land as was originally planned – without any public consultation on this change. One thing is clear: no green space in Exeter is safe under Labour.”
Notes
[1] Rayner declares war on allotments
[2Planning permission granted to build an Energy Hub on August 4th 2025. Exeter City Council ran a public consultation on selling off a smaller piece of the field in 2024. https://exeter.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultations-and-petitions/public-open-space-disposal-land-at-grace-road-field/
Decision details: Disposal of land at Grace Road Fields: https://committees.exeter.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=60868