Ice rink demolition criticised as 'spineless'
THE Bristol Civic Society has criticised councillors who voted to demolish the city's ice rink for not acting in the city's interests.
Dave Cave, a member of the society, stressed that clause BCS12 in the council's core strategy states "existing community facilities should be retained, unless ... an alternative provision is made".
By failing to address the policy at a planning committee meeting last week, he accused councillors – who voted unanimously in favour of replacing the rink with 442 student flats – of not balancing Bristol's needs.
But Mr Cave did find time to praise part of the development for improving the area around the O2 Academy – which will remain in place.
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He told The Post: "Bristol Civic Society notes that the Development Control Central committee voted unanimously in favour of the application to demolish the ice rink and build 442 student rooms. The society welcomes the improved contribution towards improvements in the public realm from the developers, now put at some £570,000.
"However, the decision effectively means the end of permanent ice sport activities in Bristol, since no funds are in place to contribute to a replacement facility, despite the fact that the developer stands to gain as much as £100 million during the lifetime of the development.
"We are bitterly disappointed that the councillors did not adhere to their own planning policy.
"BCS12 states that no community facility shall be removed unless there is no need for it or alternative provision has been made. The councillors did not even debate this aspect or attempt to put forward the interests of the people of Bristol.
"Some of the developers have offered an alternative site for an ice rink should further investment be forthcoming. This is a car park at the rear of the O2 Academy and in my opinion does not constitute an appropriate alternative facility. It is a windowless façade, more appropriate for a gym or nightclub than a lively family-friendly ice rink."
Mr Cave spoke at the committee meeting last Tuesday. He warned the councillors that demolishing the ice rink could affect "Bristol's standing as a regional centre".
Chaired by Alex Woodman (Lib Dem) the planning committee of Christian Martin (Lib Dem), Henry Havvock (Lib Dem), Margaret Hickman (Labour), Derek Pickup (Labour) and Alex Pearce (Conservative) voted unanimously in favour of the new development after little discussion. After the decision was made, Mr Cave, branded the committee as "spineless".
He told The Post that he had hoped the council would argue for more cash to cover replacement facilities.
He said: "I was disappointed there wasn't more discussion. Viability has got nothing to do with it if you consider how much (developer) Unite will be profiting in the long run."
Council spokesman James Easy said officers explained that a combination of concerns over viability plus the smaller leisure space that is being provided in the plans were the reasons behind the decision.
In the full planning report where officers recommended to councillors that they should approve the new development, it said: "The viability report indicates that substantial investment is required to keep the Ice Rink operational.
"The conversion... would involve significant investment in this site and one that would impact upon viability or retaining an Ice Rink facility in this building.
"There is no reason to dispute these findings and this has an impact on the medium term of an ice rink facility operating from this site.
"In terms of a redevelopment to provide a new ice rink facility at this site, the viability report concludes that it would not be commercially viable.
"In respect of alternative provision of a leisure facility, the proposals seek to change the use of the existing underutilised car park at the rear of the 02 Academy.
"This would provide 1,316 square metres of leisure space.
"This leisure space is much less than the existing ice rink (4,059 square metres) and this is a material consideration."
Comments
by jonathan183
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 1:14AM
“Each year at Xmas an open air facility is setup at Cribbs ... why not setup a permanent facility local to Cribbs? or maybe re-develop some of the Avonmouth dock area?”
by Phurr
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 9:33AM
“What we need is an elected individual who can bang heads together and get the best people in Bristol something like a mayor. Oh, ....... .
Emma L Stasi? Get real. Innept, yes. The Stasi were much better and I suspect East Germany had better sporting facilities than Bristol.”
by EMMA_L
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 3:49AM
“Fair enough GazzaH, I was just using Bishopston as an example of a local facility which was probably well used in it's time, but judging by your response, wasn't everyone's cup of tea as it were. Not quite sure where you are going with Henleaze though, unless you mean the lake? I miss the swimming pool that used to be in Crow Lane, Henbury (where Aldi is now), it's facilities were basic but it had nice big windows, so was light and airy. Council gave that one the chop too.”
by GazzaH
Monday, December 31 2012, 9:20AM
“EMMA_L, you may or may not have a point about the council, but I have to object at using Bishopston pool as an example. Bishopston pool was awful! It was dirty with terrible facilities and instead Horfield pool opened which is far better, and the same thing happened with Henleaze. Admit it wouls be nice to do something with the building though...”
by EMMA_L
Sunday, December 30 2012, 9:13PM
“Typical! Back-handers coming into play again with this sham council. There's too much pandering now to the students in this city, at the expense of people who enjoyed using the ice rink for their sports and leisure. I myself visited the ice rink in the past and did a bit of skating. As if it wasn't enough that the council has axed most of the local small swimming pools like Speedwell and Bishopston, they, in their own way, have deprived Bristol of another (probably) much loved facility, what with the football teams here struggling too, it seems Bristol council is on a right downer! I love this city I do, but I really hate this Stasi council we've got.”