Richmond and Twickenham Green Councillor Richard Bennett was denied the right to speak at the Council’s Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on 25 June, when the Liberal Democrats voted to award the lease of Pensford Field Nature Reserve to mental health charity Dose of Nature (DoN).
The current lease, held by Pensford Field Environmental Trust (PFET), will expire on 29 September 2025, despite being without fault and previously set to run until 2028. PFET will launch a judicial review into the decision.
Richmond and Twickenham Greens proposed that the Council manage the field for the next year, giving a chance for the dispute between the two charities to be resolved, but that the Lib Dem committee chair did not consider this.
Cllr Chas Warlow, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, said: “It’s a complete mess and an abysmal process. The Council should have consulted PFET prior to terminating their lease. Local residents have given their time and commitment to maintaining this lovely green space for the benefit of adults and children alike – they deserved better than this shoddy treatment. The Opposition has proposed a very sensible way forward but the Leader and the rest of the Committee vetoed it – this is what happens when you have one-party domination of a council.”
For more details, read the full coverage at Richmond Nub News.
