THE future of Bristol City Council's green spaces sell-off plan continues to hang in the balance amidst renewed calls to scrap it.

All three opposition parties on the authority have now issued statements following the May 5 election saying that it is time for the Liberal Democrats to think again.

This follows the Lib Dems losing five seats, reducing their majority from 38 of 70 councillors to 33. As previously reported in the Evening Post, the green space sell-off plan may now have to be sacrificed to keep the Lib Dems in power.

None of the opposition groups have expressed an interest in forming a coalition with the Lib Dems.

But now they have no outright majority, the Lib Dems would lose any future vote on the issue that has become entrenched along party lines.

Council leader Barbara Janke said discussions were ongoing on the future of the running of the authority so was unable to comment further at this stage.

How much of an effect the green spaces controversy had on the local elections is not clear.

While the Lib Dems lost some seats where sites were under threat – including Brislington East and Hengrove – they retained others including Knowle and Windmill.

But Labour's Ron Stone said the loss of seats made it clear the public wanted the Lib Dems to review the policy.

He said: "It's obvious the electorate have not been impressed with the cuts agenda and added to that many thousands who protested felt they were ignored over the sell-off of their green spaces. We have warned the Lib Dems that the whole policy needs a re-think and while they can ignore their political opposition if they want to, they cannot ignore the voters.

"We say let local people decide on the future of their green spaces at their Neighbourhood Partnerships."

Conservative acting leader Councillor Peter Abraham said: "The Lib Dems must face up to the fact that one of the reasons for them doing so badly in the local elections was the massive opposition to their proposed sale of Bristol's green spaces.

"If they now wish to continue to govern in this city without an overall majority, it is obvious that they will have to make some concessions on this issue."