Parks group supports selling off green spaces
A BRISTOL parks group has produced a list of 20 reasons to support Bristol City Council's green spaces sell-off plan.
Bristol Parks Forum is a community organisation that is made up of six committee members and represents parks groups across the city.
To date it is the only non-political group or organisation which has come out in favour of the green spaces scheme, arguing it is necessary to make up for decades of under-investment in Bristol parks.
The plan proposes selling off up to 62 sites across the city in a bid to raise money to fund improvements for up to 200 more.
The list was put together by Rob Acton-Campbell and has been praised by the council.
Hugh Holden, chairman of the Bristol Parks Forum, said the group backed the plan because it could result in investment in the city's parks.
Mr Holden, a 61-year-old gardener from St Werburgh's, said: "We are behind the plan because of the investment in parks, not the flogging of them. I would ask those who oppose the plan three questions: Do the parks still need investment, as they did in 2006? If so, where is the money going to come from in the present economic climate?
"Lastly, if they are opposed to any green space being sold in the city, where are the houses going to be built?
"The reason we've come up with our list is that a large portion of the public are not aware of the reasons behind the Area Green Space plan."
5 Comments
by Ali D, Bristol
Thursday, November 25 2010, 6:35PM
“You can look at their website and previous minutes and not all were in favour many were worried that after 20 years when the money runs out it will be the protected parks within the forum that would be next. What goes around comes around! And further more when they showed support it was for parks that were under used or not used ie derelict, not beautiful parks tha are used everyday oh and by the way do you know open space in Henleaze its used for walking dogs grandparents taking grandchildren exercise no mention of disposals there I wonder why! AGSP words not mine but to be honest this represents most open space within our city
Ali D”
by brian, bristol
Wednesday, November 24 2010, 9:20PM
“no thankyou i would rather work with my own community and let it be the people who actualy live there choose what they want.”
by Sam, Bristol
Wednesday, November 24 2010, 6:47PM
“I understand that they are the volunteers who have worked for years to get investment and improvement into Bristol's parks. Now you know about them you can join them in improving Bristol's green spaces.”
by brian, bristol
Wednesday, November 24 2010, 3:50PM
“who do these people think they are, everyone who is fighting to save their green space's i am sure are fully aware of the situation, and well informed. i dont know which park groups they represent but i would like to know .how many people they think they are speeking for and in what areas. i wonder how many areas know they exist. i would love to know how many members this parks forum have and what gives them the right to be backing the council,i have spoken to a lot of peole in my own area who have never heard of them i wonder if it is the same elsewhere ,”
by Sam, Bristol
Wednesday, November 24 2010, 10:51AM
“In the Evening Post newspaper article it lists the 20 reasons which explain why there is a lot of validity to this process. The Bristol Parks Forum is made up of some of the people who care most about green spaces in the area. I am sure there will be a few green spaces that win a reprieve but at least this has all been done democratically.”