Churchdown Liberal Democrats have made a strong bid for a well loved Hill to be protected from housing.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (Parliamentary Candidate for North Cotswolds) and Cllr Stewart Dove (GCC, Churchdown) say they are united in their strong opposition to any proposed housebuilding on Churchdown Hill (which is commonly known as Chosen Hill):

"Churchdown Hill is a truly unique and cherished landscape, defined by its natural beauty, ecological importance, and historic character. It provides vital green space for residents and visitors alike—a place for recreation, wellbeing, and connection with nature. Its prominence in the local environment and its role as a wildlife habitat make it irreplaceable. Once lost, this special landscape cannot be restored.

"We fully recognise the pressing need for new housing, particularly for young people and families striving to secure a home in our community. Providing sustainable, appropriate development is essential, and we remain committed to supporting housing in the right locations. However, this must not come at the expense of irreplaceable natural assets such as Churchdown Hill.

"With Tewkesbury Borough Council soon to make important decisions about which sites will be included in the Strategic Local Plan, we urge that Churchdown Hill is firmly protected from development. There are alternative sites better suited to meeting housing need without sacrificing one of our area’s most valued green spaces.

“We stand with residents in calling for the preservation of Churchdown Hill for current and future generations.”

North and South Cotswolds Liberal Democrats brought together around 100 residents in Cirencester last Saturday for a major action day to defend local hospital services and oppose any further reductions at Cirencester Hospital.

The demonstration was led by Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (Gloucestershire County Council, Bourton and Northleach, and Parliamentary Candidate for North Cotswolds), who addressed the crowd and warned against allowing valued local healthcare services to decline.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Hodgkinson said:
“We love our local hospitals. We value them. We want them to expand, not be allowed to decline. The NHS have said that recent cuts to services are temporary but we must be sure this promise by them is kept. Today we say loud and clear that we want more use of Cirencester and Moreton Hospitals. People don't have to travel so far as Gloucester or Swindon — they value less waiting times and a friendly, efficient service at their local hospital. With large numbers of houses planned for the area we need the services to support that.

Cllr Claire Bloomer (Cotswold District Council, New Mills) also spoke at the demonstration, highlighting the strength of local concern. She told those gathered that there is a deep level of feeling across the community and that residents are seeking clear reassurance from the NHS about the future of services.

Following the demonstration, volunteers and councillors canvassed attendees and passers-by, collecting signatures for a petition calling for the protection and strengthening of hospital services across the Cotswolds. The petition, hosted on the South Cotswolds Liberal Democrats website, has already attracted more than 2,500 signatures and is backed by local MP Roz Savage.

Organisers say the turnout reflects growing concern about access to local healthcare and a strong desire to see services not only retained but expanded in community hospitals such as those in Cirencester and Moreton.

 

Liberal Democrats were proud to support Gloucestershire’s farmers at a recent meeting of Gloucestershire County Council.

They voted unanimously to back this very important group of people who have been the target of new tax rises (dubbed the ‘Family Farm Tax’) by the Labour Government.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Prospective MP for North Cotswolds, spoke on behalf of the administration at the County Council: 

"As someone who represents a rural area of Gloucestershire — including many of our hardworking farmers in the North Cotswolds — I want to speak today in strong support of the people who feed this country, care for our landscape, and sustain our rural economy.

"Over months and years, I’ve spoken to local farmers — people who’ve worked the same land for generations. They’ve told me, in no uncertain terms, how tough things are right now. Tight margins, rising costs, and supermarket pressures are leaving family farms on a cliff edge.

“Our farmers aren’t asking for special treatment — they’re asking for a fair deal.

"So let’s make it clear: Gloucestershire stands shoulder to shoulder with its farmers. We will keep fighting for fairness, for freedom to farm, and for the future of our rural communities.

“Our farmers feed Britain — it’s time Britain fed them the respect and support they deserve."

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson has stepped up his campaign for action on unfair “fleecehold” estate charges after hearing growing anger from residents in Cooper’s Edge and Bourton, now part of the North Cotswolds constituency.

Homeowners say they are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds a year to distant, unaccountable management companies — yet basic services such as lighting, green spaces and paths are often poorly maintained or ignored.

“Residents are angry and frustrated,” said Paul Hodgkinson. “They’re paying significant sums to companies they can’t challenge, with no effective way to hold them to account when services fall short.”

Government Bill ‘does not go far enough’

Paul criticised the Government’s proposed Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, warning it fails to tackle the root problems facing freeholders.

“Freeholders are being charged privately for maintaining ‘public open space’ — areas anyone can use — yet only a small number of residents are left footing the bill,” he said. “That’s simply unfair.”

Serious flaws remain

While the Bill proposes a form of Right to Manage for freeholders, Paul says it is deeply flawed. Residents would be required to set up and run a company to take control, an unrealistic burden for ordinary homeowners.

Even more concerning, the process cannot begin until developers transfer the land — something they are under no obligation to do.

“In places like Cooper’s Edge, residents are stuck waiting on developers who control the land,” Paul said. “Without a legal requirement to hand it over, this ‘right’ exists only on paper.”

Pushing for stronger action

Paul has asked Max Wilkinson MP to raise these concerns directly with ministers through Parliamentary questions, pressing the Government to strengthen the legislation. The questions and answers are here:  https://members.parliament.uk/member/5055/writtenquestions

Call for real reform

Paul is urging ministers to:

• Force developers to transfer estate land within a fixed timeframe
• Introduce enforceable standards for management companies
• Remove barriers preventing residents from taking control

“With so many new estates across Gloucestershire, thousands of families are affected,” Paul said. “This Bill does not fix the problem — and I will keep fighting until freeholders get the fairness and protection they deserve.”

Rural community hospitals in the Cotswolds such as Cirencester and Moreton provide essential, accessible healthcare close to home. 

They ease pressure on larger hospitals such as Cheltenham and Gloucester, support older and recovering patients, and ensure that people in rural areas are not forced into long, difficult journeys for routine treatment and rehab. 

Any cuts, closures or “temporary” service changes at Cirencester Hospital (which the NHS has announced recently) or elsewhere in the Cotswolds undermines this lifeline. With thousands of new homes planned and an ageing population in the Cotswolds, we need greater investment in our rural hospitals, not further reductions. 

Show your support for the future of the Cotswolds' NHS services by signing our petition today… https://www.southcotswoldlibdems.org.uk/cirencesterhospital

One of Gloucestershire's biggest ever engineering projects is on track and really taking shape.

The A417 Missing Link initiative started in 2023 and id due to be completed in February 2027. A new road will replace the existing single carriageway around Birdlip in the North Cotswolds and bring an end to the gridlock, accidents and pollution which have plagued the road for years.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (GCC and CDC Cabinet Member) joined Max Wilkinson MP at the construction site recently:

"After years of campaigning for a solution to the multiple problems at the A417, it was a sweet moment to see forst hand the huge Missing Link project and the new road being built. Plus the miles of stone walling and 16,000 trees which have already been planted.

“This road has been so long in coming but we will be driving it fully in 2027 and it will bring real economic benefits to Gloucestershire.”