Local Authority Retains Land Previously Earmarked for Sale to Lex Greensill

A local authority intends to retain a parcel of land that it had initially intended to divest to a financier, whose firm was implicated in a Westminster lobbying controversy. Cheshire West and Chester Council had previously reached an agreement to sell property located at Shotwick Park in Saughall, near Chester, to Lex Greensill. Mr. Greensill had expressed a desire to establish a “natural sanctuary for wildlife” on the site. However, the council is now poised to endorse proposals for converting the land into woodland. According to a report presented to councillors, the authority indicated that holding onto the land would contribute to its objective of achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2045. Lex Greensill, the founder of Greensill Capital, stated his decision to withdraw from the proposed plans “for now,” adding that the initiative had “become a point of division.” The Cheshire West and Chester Council had given its approval for the sale of the land to the financier in February 2021; however, the transaction was never finalized. In April of the same year, Cheshire West and Chester Council announced that “in the light of well-publicised concerns about the buyer’s business interests and relationships with national politicians,” the “sale process was paused” to enable auditors to examine the transaction and verify that it was conducted with “integrity.” Greensill Capital had gone into administration several weeks prior, resulting in the loss of over 300 jobs within Cheshire. Within official council documents, Cheshire West and Chester Council indicated that it had halted the sale procedure to Mr. Greensill while “further assurances were sought from the buyer in relation to their commitment to deliver on the declared intentions for this land and to engage with local people.” The authority further noted that several developments had occurred since the initial decision was made three years ago, such as the introduction of a new borough plan and its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality. On his personal website, Mr. Greensill issued a statement indicating that the plans to acquire the site had proven to be “complex.” He continued: “Along the way I’ve realised that, despite support from so many of you, some voices feel left out of the process.“This project, which was always meant to bring us together and foster environmental stewardship, has unfortunately become a point of division. As a family, we don’t want any conflict within the community we care so much about.“My hope is that one day, Shotwick Park Estate will be a place of flourishing nature and biodiversity, a sanctuary we can all enjoy and take pride in. I sincerely hope Cheshire West and Chester Council can find a path forward that resonates with everyone.” The cabinet of Cheshire West and Chester Council is scheduled to deliberate on these plans at a later time.