Community group raises £75k to buy popular field

A local group had six months to raise funds for Daisybank Field in Cheltenham

A community group that came together to protect a field popular with dog walkers has confirmed it has managed to buy the land.

Daisybank Field, at the foot of Leckhampton Hill, Cheltenham, has long been used by locals.

It was due to be put up for auction but, in March, Leckhampton With Warden Hill Parish Council managed to secure its status as an asset of community value, giving locals six months to prepare a bid to buy the land for £75,000.

The resultant community group, Daisybank CIC, which now owns the field, said in a statement on its website: "A huge thank you to the combined efforts of community supporters and organisations who helped the campaign and made this possible."

The statement continued: "We would like to thank everyone who contributed their stories and memories of Daisybank – the narratives highlighting the importance of this piece of land."

The group raised £35,000 towards the cost by crowdfunding. The remaining contributions came from local businesses and individuals, as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and two local parish councils.

Daisybank CIC says it must now work out a care plan for the site, including consulting ecologists and the local community.

Its website says the field has three rights of way running through it and is well-planted with wildflowers.

The field is also said to provide habitats for animals including adders, bats and deer.