Leave park as it is, eight-year-old Bristol boys tell councillors
TWO eight-year-old boys chained themselves to their favourite tree in protest at plans to revamp a popular park behind their homes.
Louie White and Edwyn Lewis were furious when their parents told them about the plans, which were revealed in the Evening Post earlier this week.
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Louie (right) and Edwin, both aged 8, from St Anne's chained to a tree in St.Anne's Park with a petition signed by dozens of local residents
They decided to chain themselves to a tree and also organised a petition, collecting names from neighbours who are angry about the makeover scheme.
Louie, who lives with his parents in Newbridge Road, said: "I don't want them to touch the park.
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"We spend a lot of time playing there and we want them to leave it as it is."
Edwyn, who lives a few doors away, said: "If they build the new homes, it will block the light out from our homes.
"The noise will be distracting and there won't be much wildlife left."
Louie's dad, professional photographer Dave White, 40, said: "This is something the boys did by themselves – we didn't put them up to it.
"Everyone is furious about what the council has in mind.
"The park is absolutely fine as it is – we want it left alone."
The proposed makeover was highlighted in the paper as an example of nearly 200 parks and open spaces which the council wants to improve during the next 20 years.
Council officials are suggesting that a strip of land behind the houses in Newbridge Road is sold off for housing to raise the funds for the revamp of the park and improvements to nearby St Anne's Wood. People who live in Newbridge Road are horrified at the plans, however, and are organising a protest meeting which is expected to be held sometime next week.
They are expected to set up an action committee to spearhead a campaign against the plans.
One of the neighbours, transport manager Joe Thompson, 41, helped his wife, Nicola, to raise £50,000 for a new children's play area in the park after the council said they had no funds to do it themselves.
Mr Thompson said: "The reason we moved here was because our home overlooks the park and the last thing anyone wants is another row of homes.
"The council says it would help to prevent anti-social behaviour but there are no problems here. It's a popular park and we want to keep as it is.
"If they started building on The Downs or parts of Henleaze or Stoke Bishop, then I would roll over but they will never do that and we don't want it here.
"We will not lie down on this one – we will fight it to the bitter end."
Edwyn's father, Darren Lewis, 38, a human resources manager, said: "This park is a green lung in the inner-city, it's a retreat for us and we regard it as priceless. We don't want it changed. There's no need – it's popular at it is."
Council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt said: "The publication of the citywide Area Green Space Plans and site allocations document follows years of work by council officers. The plans give local people some suggested ideas of what the next 20 years could bring in terms of investment in our parks and land disposals.
"We know people are very passionate about their parks and open spaces and many want to see improvements in the parks near where they live. To achieve these improvements we need to have robust strategic plans in place, which will inform future council decision-making.
"At this stage no decisions have been made. We are now going out to consult with local people to ask them what they think. We are urging local people to take a close look at the options and have their say about what they think should happen.
"Over the next 20 weeks, people can get in touch with us via the website, telephone, or write to us or come along to a drop-in event where officers will be on hand to answer any questions."
For more information on the Area Green Space Plan, visit the council's website at www.bristol.gov.uk/agsp or phone 922 3719 and ask to speak to a member of the Area Green Space Plan team.
Comments
by Pogo the Clown, .
Friday, June 18 2010, 2:33PM
“I'm 50/50 to be honest. I'll miss the trees if they go, as the kids do love playing on and around them.
However, if the open space is used properly and the play park benefits, it's not all bad.
I'm interested in knowing what they're doing with St Annes Park woods, as that's quite a cool place for kids, although a total nightmare to get in and out of.”
by St John Quimston, Bristol
Friday, June 18 2010, 1:49PM
“So Pogo - are you a Nimby or are you not?”
by Pete, St. Anne's
Friday, June 18 2010, 1:23PM
“There is already a facebook group for St. Anne's Park.
Brislington Community Partnership is another place to look for more information on what's happening in Brislington & St. Anne's.”
by Ritchie, Brisdtol
Friday, June 18 2010, 12:27PM
“Well I'd rather kids use a bit of initiative and think of doing some good rather than sat in the park all day smoking the happy stuff, throwing cans at birds (the animal kind) and mugging the elderly. Whilst adding more than a ABSO to their name.”
by angus, ashley down
Friday, June 18 2010, 12:10PM
“The kids did this all by themselves and we did not put them up to it, says their dad. I wonder if the Social Services Child Protection Squad are aware that there are parents allowing their 8 year olds to wander alone, shop alone and perform dangerous antics like this at height while chained up. It does not sound like responsible poarenting to me. Of course on the other hand if it were the parents who had done it to elicit an emotional response from the public to a media campaign......
I wonder if the kids did the press realese as well ?”
by Pogo the Clown, .
Friday, June 18 2010, 12:10PM
“No, seriously. It genuinely is.
I guess the strip of land is the one that's on the left hand side when you go in by the phone box.
You know, the one with the tree that's at a 30 degree angle, that the kids (including my own) climb on.
What concerns me is that the additional homes are going to put more pressure on St Annes Infants and Juniors, both of which are under considerable pressure.
St Annes Juniors had 12 places few than St Annes Infants, so a lot of kids weren't able to move up a school. The boundary line was drawn 0.8 km from the school and I can only assume that the new homes will cause this to draw in a bit more.
Bad news for those on the boundary.
See? I know of which I speak.”
by St John Quimston, Bristol
Friday, June 18 2010, 11:56AM
“"St Annes Park is my local park, so I know of what I speak. So shush"
Yeah, course it is Pogo the C.”
by Doreen, Chopping down a tree
Friday, June 18 2010, 11:38AM
“yes every tree should be protected . . let's stop these smug tree huggers from murdering and raping trees to get ther tobacco fix by using paper for their ciggies.”
by Pogo the Clown, .
Friday, June 18 2010, 11:34AM
“Why?”
by Non lentil eating, non hippy, non nimby, Bristol
Friday, June 18 2010, 11:31AM
“EVERY single tree should be protected and not allowed to be removed.*
* unless it's diseased (like "I am a Nimby too"'s brain.)”