Anonymous resident felt 'used' in fight against Ashton Vale stadium, Bristol
THE anonymous resident in Ashton Vale who is at the forefront of a legal challenge stopping Bristol City FC going ahead with its new stadium has dropped another bombshell.
The resident, who we cannot name for legal reasons, has written a second letter to the High Court giving further insight into his reasons for withdrawing from a judicial review.
In his first letter, he said he was withdrawing his application and refused permission for a replacement. In this second letter, the Evening Post understands, he makes it clear he was not persuaded or coerced into withdrawing his challenge. Campaigners fighting to stop development at Ashton Vale claimed that the man had had enough because of harassment.
It is understood he goes on to say that he can see no prospect of a compromise in the dispute and wants to have nothing more to do with it. He adds that he felt he was used in the dispute and now wants to wipe the slate clean.
The resident's withdrawal and the content of his letters has been a massive blow to the protesters' campaign, called SAVE, which was launched after city councillors decided last June to allow only part of the proposed development site in Ashton Vale to be registered as a town green. Councillors were happy for the fields to the south to be registered but not the former landfill tip where the club wants to build its new £92 million stadium, overruling the recommendation of an inspector who said the whole site should be protected from all development.
Council leaders believe the letters signal the end of the long-running saga.
But former Labour councillor Peter Crispin, pictured, who is leading the latest campaign, has insisted that nothing has changed and the judicial review into the council's decision will go ahead as planned.
The campaigners' solicitors have said they are in the process of finding a replacement resident to head up the legal challenge.
Ultimately, it will be up to a judge to decide whether the anonymous resident can be substituted.
If not, then the question arises whether a fresh application could be allowed.
It may take several weeks before a legal ruling is made on these matters. In the meantime, the club is poised to start work as soon as it can.
If construction work starts in July, then the new 30,000-seat stadium would be ready for the 2014/15 season.
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by swissbob
Thursday, February 23 2012, 12:39PM
“@SpinyHedgehog
I should point out that SL has nothing to do with the JR, other than having to live with the consequences of BCC's allegedly botched TVG registration.
The JR is solely directed towards BCC.
As far as I know, SL has no control over whether any or all of the land is registered as a town green. That power lies only with BCC.”
by R_E_Knaw
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:56AM
“SpinyHedgehog says
"If SL wins the JR, may I suggest that that he withdraws the offer of half of the site to be used as a town green. May I further suggest that he then donates it to be used as a travellers' camp?"
Did you know that there has been a travellers camp in Ashton Vale for years?”
by smoosername
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:33AM
“Judge Anthony Thornton - Have a quick google... should make for interesting viewing when the film comes out!”
by SpinyHedgehog
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:25AM
“If SL wins the JR, may I suggest that that he withdraws the offer of half of the site to be used as a town green. May I further suggest that he then donates it to be used as a travellers' camp?”
by BCFCfinker
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:22AM
“As a footy fan I'm used to the ref making a dodgy call now and again ;)
Let's see if BCC appeal the decision i.e. if the ref has interpreted the laws of the game wrong, why not (TVGers have used loop holes, then why not BCC) :D
More twists and turns than a spy movie, so difficult to see how this will all end - you would hope the good guys (BCFC) win in the end.
Gripping stuff.”
by LukeBCFC2
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:05AM
“Couldnt agree more Westywardy. Until now, the situation had been extremely frustrating but you felt that we had to allow the democratic process to run its course. But now?? It is of my opinion that these nimbys are nothing more than spineless cheats, bullies and liars. They were guaranteed a village green under the compromise arrangement... Now lets hope that poetic justice is does and they end up with nothing.”
by NobbyNoob
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:04AM
“Harrry,
Please will you stop trying to second guess this persons CLEAR opinions, I for one am getting sick to death of listening to the claimants making up stupid conspiracy tales!
The review is going ahead it would seem and I cant say i'm surprised by that.
Either one of two reasons for this as far as I can tell, either the judge feels that a review is in the public interest (most likely) or that he bought the unfounded lies peddled by Harry and Co.
Either way, if the original applicant has had his nose sufficiently disjointed, then he may well act as a witness for BCC and could seriously undermine the case against their decision, so all in all its still not been a bad week for the pro development lobby.”
by Jab_the_cab
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:04AM
“Can we apply for a JR on the retrospective submission of a JR which is what this effectively is?”
by westywardy
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:59AM
“Steve Lansdown go get the WHOLE of the site.”
by smoosername
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:58AM
“Wow. One day they are going to make a film out of this!!”