BRISTOL Liberal Democrats have strongly denied allegations they are "hypocrites" over a plan to sell off open spaces across the city.

The area green space plan proposes selling off up to 62 sites throughout Bristol in a bid to raise money to improve up to 200 more.

It has attracted criticism from residents who say they don't want to lose the "green lungs" of the city. Lib Dems used their majority to block attempts by the combined Labour, Conservative and Green groups to scrap the scheme at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

They say it would be premature because they do not know the results of the consultation yet.

During a frequently heated debate, allegations were made towards a particular group of Lib Dems, who represent parts of the city where there has been vocal opposition to the plans.

Councillors in the group are accused of telling their constituents they will help them fight to save their spaces, but then voting against a plan that would scrap the whole scheme.

Conservative group leader Geoff Gollop (Westbury-on-Trym) said: "There are 17 Lib Dems who in their local Focus (newsletter) are telling them they are fighting green spaces but then they come to this chamber and they support selling off green spaces.

"Any green spaces, provided it's not in their ward.

"That is hypocrisy. That is what brings this council into disrepute."

Labour group leader Helen Holland (Whitchurch Park) highlighted one example in Windmill Hill ward.

Residents there objected to two site sales and Mrs Holland referred to a political newsletter from ward councillors Mark Bailey and Alf Havvock.

It said: "Mark and Alf are totally opposed to the sell [sic] of the Higham Street green and the land adjacent to the old YMCA building and are doing everything in their power to stop this happening.

"We are hopeful that we can save these two pieces of land but just in case the council refuses to listen we are also encouraging residents to put in Town Green applications to safeguard the long-term future of the land. We will continue to harass the council until the decision is taken in early December."

Both councillors voted against scrapping the plan.

Ms Holland said: "That is the level of hypocrisy from your group."

Mr Bailey – also the Lib Dem whip – strongly denied Ms Holland's claim.

He told the Evening Post that although he thought the two sites mentioned should not be sold off, he supported selling off other sites, like one in Bath Road.

He said: "In our group, if you have a ward problem and it conflicts with the strategy you're allowed to oppose it because the ward comes first.

"It's not about us falling in line with the party strategy. I agree with the strategy. Where there is difference of opinion is in what you consider low-value land. I'm not going to be called a hypocrite for defending land in my ward."

The Post contacted 16 of the councillors accused by Mr Gollop to ask them to respond to the allegation.

The 17th is Tim Kent, who represents Whitchurch Park, where residents are petitioning the loss of an area known as Pigeon House Steam. He did not attend the meeting and therefore did not vote.

Eastville councillor Steve Comer stressed his party would look at the concerns raised by residents but that did not mean scrapping the whole scheme.

He said: "The policy of funding investment is right. We need a clear policy – and not the piecemeal sell-off of bits of land around the city that we've had over the last 30 years."

He argued that a lack of investment meant areas such as Eastville Park were in a poor state and in need of an upgrade.

The only other member to provide a response was Horfield councillor Peter Levy, whose ward includes land at Wellington Hill West under threat of development.

Mr Levy referred the Post to his internet blog site, where he said: "Even if I wasn't an elected councillor I would have added my support to save this land, having used it myself over the last eight years.

"Along with many others (I) wasn't happy that our space was under threat but faced with the options I had to engage with the process and add my support to the action groups to have our voices heard.

"To call for a consultation process to be scrapped after all this time, just as it's ended, is surely mistimed? To scrap it now would be to show contempt and disrespect to the record number of residents and voters who have put a huge amount of effort into having their say."

The other councillors representing wards where residents oppose land sales are:

Cheryl Ann, representing Horfield, where the Friends of Horfield Common objected to the loss of any green space, and hundreds of people objected to the loss of Wellington Field.

Jacqueline Bowles is one of the councillors for Southmead, where people have objected to all four sites threatened with sale – Elderberry Walk, Embleton Road play area, Font Hill Park and Trymside open space.

Sean Emmett and Guy Poultney represent Lockleaze, where groups like Lockleaze Voice oppose any development on Lockleaze open space.

Peter Main and Jackie Norman represent Brislington West, where more than 1,000 people have signed a petition against the loss of green space.

Sylvia Doubell and Jos Clark represent Hengrove, where the council wants to sell Briery Leaze despite knowing residents want it registered as a town green.

Muriel Cole also represent Eastville, which includes the Snowden Road open spaces local residents have been fighting to keep.

Patrick Hassell is one of the councillors for Hillfields, which includes the Lodge Hill open space more than 1,000 people have signed a petition against losing.

Gary Hopkins and Chris Davies represent Knowle. Residents here have objected to the potential loss of Salcombe Road recreation ground.