Cwmgelli residents voice anger at plans to sell green space

Residents in Cwmgelli, near Blackwood, are protesting plans by Caerphilly County Borough Council to sell off green space.

The council wants to sell the land, measuring around 1,467 sq m, with a proposed use for a housing development.

Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix, who last month resigned from Caerphilly’s Labour group, said: “Myself and Cllr Rees are against the proposed sale of the park in Cwmgelli.

“The park is now the only safe place left in the area where young children can play football and meet up and where dog walkers can exercise their dogs.

“If this park is sold it will leave the people of Cwmgelli with no public space.

“I am not aware of anywhere else in the county borough that does not have a park or a public space that the community can use. If the council sell the park the community will have to cross a major road to access the nearest park , which is a mile away.

“I fully understand that the council is strapped for cash, however, it always seems to be Blackwood, where land values are high, that takes the hit.”

Resident Reg Silcox, who has lived in Cwmgelli since 1970, remembers when the land was turned into a park in back in 1972.

He said: “The park provides an excellent environment for all residents, young and old and is constantly used by the community, the community has grown since then and we need this park more than ever.”

Fellow resident Geraldine Jones has two children that learned to ride their bikes in the park.

She said: “The park is regularly used by the children to play and practice football, rugby and gymnastics.

“If the park is sold local people will be left without an public space.”