1,000 sign petition against new Tesco in Bristol
A petition against plans for a Tesco supermarket at Bristol City FC's ground at Ashton Gate has now reached 1,000 names.
A pressure group called BERATE is campaigning against a supermarket at the site because they fear it will lead to shop closures in nearby North Street.
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1,000 have signed a petition against plans for new Tesco in Bristol
More than 600 people have signed the petition displayed in shops and shown at community events, while 400 people have signed the online version on the city council's website.
The football club wants to build a new stadium at Ashton Vale and says the redevelopment of its existing ground is the key link to funding the project.
Chris Uttley, from BERATE, said: "Bristol City FC would like people to believe that it needs to sell Ashton Gate to Tesco in order to raise money for its new stadium at Ashton Vale and to be part of England's World Cup bid.
"However, Bristol does not need a new Tesco in order to secure its place as part of the World Cup bid. Numerous alternative uses have been suggested by residents for the Ashton Gate site, and BERATE would be delighted to be involved in discussions for any development which would improve our community.
"BERATE is not opposed to Bristol City FC, its new stadium at Ashton Vale nor to the World Cup bid.
"We are opposed to an unnecessary and damaging supermarket being imposed on a community that does not want one."
A statement was read out by BERATE members to city councillors at a meeting on Tuesday.
The petition calls on councillors to reject the plans as those who have signed it believe a supermarket would "increase congestion and traffic, increase air and noise pollution, spoil local amenity and have serious consequences for the local community".
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown has said getting "maximum value" from the sale of Ashton Gate was crucial to the funding of the new ground.
It is believed selling to a supermarket chain could make the club £20 million, while redeveloping it for housing would bring in just £4.5m because of the slump in the housing market.
21 Comments
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by Richard Lane, Knowle
Monday, July 27 2009, 10:03PM
“Anne.
As usual people ignore the points which are made and concentrate on the minor issues.
None of my comments are contradictory although some may be a little silly but only in response to insults from certain people that can't accept a different point of view.
The fact is Tesco has been linked to the world cup bid and the new stadium by the press.
Certain people would like to stir up support and controversy by stating that Mr Lansdown has been bullying the planners by constant press releases which is just not the case. There have been very few press releases by the club, one about the new stadium, one about the new plans, one as a response to the press releasing the story about Tesco
and one about the Tesco plans.
The story has been promoted by the press to sell more papers.
Karen.
The existing stadium could not be developed to hold 40,000 to accommodate a world cup bid, or the corporate and hospitality facilities to move the club forward, the site is not big enough.”
by anne morrison, southville
Friday, July 24 2009, 10:13AM
“Thanks Karen.....someone talking sense and .....
Richard from Knowle I think you need to stop generalising about residents of Southville etc. and also actually read what people are trying to say, less invective more coherent considered argument, some comments are just plain silly and contradictory. Lots of interesting comments all round though....yet I do wonder whether some would just like most of South Bristol concreted and turned into a giant Mall with airport attached.
Perhaps sensible discussion is pointless on this forum, let's hope that's not the case.”
by Karen, Ashton
Friday, July 24 2009, 9:05AM
“I agree with Anne. With regards to all the comments about loony lefties and nimbys, I certainly do not fall into that category. I have lived in Ashton all my life and grown up with Bristol City nearby. I wrote in support of Sainsbury¿s planning application for Winterstoke Rd 15 years or so ago, despite living very close to the site. At that time Ashton needed a supermarket for local people, there were no others. But this situation with Tesco is different ¿ we have a supermarket now, and Winterstoke Rd is almost saturated with traffic, I know, I cycle on it daily and often go faster than the cars. City Planners need to think carefully about what the area needs, not just go for Tesco on a whim because they are offering the money that will enable a stadium to be built to host the World Cup. Ashton and Bedminster have enough supermarkets.
Another point ¿ all this talk is very premature anyway, as planning permission has NOT yet been granted for the new stadium, and if it is, it will be built on a flood plain, not the best place I would think. Why not just redevelop Ashton Gate and leave it where it is? I am sure that would be the most environmentally sound option. (Please note, I am not being a nimby with stadium either, I live right between the two sites).”
by Richard, Knowle
Thursday, July 23 2009, 8:37PM
“Steve.
A stadium is a community facility wether private or publicly owned, ask anyone who has attended a social event, sports clinic, training session, exhibition, concert, sunday market, firework display etc.
Did you not read about other funding being needed if Tesco was refused, because that is what Mr lansdown said.
Because he said Tesco would give a better return than selling for housing, the media reported each time that Tesco is paramount to the stadium and world cup bid.
Obviously the more the site fetches the better for Mr Lansdown the club and it's supporters.
I made no jibes about you being a loony left, I did about the area and it's residents. It is populated by it's fair share of nut pasty eating, sandle wearing, I know better than you, do as I say loonies, but obviously you took offence and started personal attacks.
Now do yourself a favour and get back in your cave.”
by Steve, Southville
Thursday, July 23 2009, 4:39PM
“No, a stadium is not a community facility. It's a privately-owned facility. Try having a knockaround at Old Trafford or the Emirates and see how long you last.
Take offthe rose-tinted specs and you will see that Lansdown has linked Tescos and the delivery of the stadium, therefore implicating the World Cup bid.
You don't want insults? then reel your own neck in with the 'loony-left Southville' jibes, sonny.”