A major political pledge to rescue and rejuvenate one of Birmingham's most treasured green spaces has been launched ahead of next year's critical local elections.
A Four-Point Plan for a Park's Future
City and town Conservatives have jointly promised a comprehensive revival of Sutton Park, vowing to halt its perceived decline. They claim the 2,400-acre site – the largest urban park in Birmingham and one of the biggest in Europe – is 'dying' due to a lack of investment under the current Labour administration.
The group's strategy centres on a four-point plan designed to transform the park's fortunes in time for the 500th anniversary of Sutton Coldfield's Royal Charter in 2028. The key pledges include establishing an independent charitable trust to manage the park, scrapping all proposed parking charges, launching a full restoration programme for pathways and facilities, and legally protecting its natural beauty and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status.
Political Battle Lines Drawn
The announcement, made on the 497th anniversary of the town's charter, is a clear electoral gambit. The Conservatives hope to win control of Birmingham City Council from Labour in the May 2026 elections, ending a 14-year majority. In Sutton Coldfield, the Tories already dominate the town council, holding 20 of the 24 seats.
Councillor Robert Alden, leader of the Conservative opposition on Birmingham City Council, was scathing in his assessment. "Under Labour’s stewardship, it has been allowed to decline," he stated. "Grass is left uncut, facilities fall into disrepair, and new punitive parking charges threaten to drive visitors away. Enough is enough." He promised the trust would work to attract investment and host major events like 'Last Night of the Proms'-style concerts, food festivals, and national sporting occasions.
Opposition and Alternative Views
The proposal has been met with strong criticism from Labour figures. Councillor Rob Pocock, a Sutton Coldfield Labour representative, previously dismissed the trust idea as a "half-baked idea" and a "tin-pot Trust." He argued that the park's management through a formal Heritage Partnership Agreement with bodies like Natural England is more appropriate for a site of its national significance.
On the contentious issue of parking charges, the current cabinet member for environment, Labour's Councillor Majid Mahmood, defended the policy. He stated that charges at Sutton Park and two other major sites were necessary to "help protect and maintain all our green spaces" across the city, with consultations ongoing on the details.
Simon Ward, the Conservative leader of Sutton Coldfield Town Council, welcomed the city-wide partnership, accusing Birmingham's Labour leadership of obstructing the town council's previous sustainable plans for the park. "Its long-term decline under Birmingham Labour has been little short of scandalous," he claimed.
With the elections on the horizon, the future management of Sutton Park has become a central battleground, setting the stage for a fierce political contest over the coming months.
