Bristol City Council’s 16-week consultation on a plan to sell off 62 green spaces is due to come to an end on Friday. Today, we look at Bedminster and Southville. SAM RKAINA reports

THERE is a large amount of open space in Bedminster and Southville, but relatively little of it is covered by the green spaces plan.

The hugely contentious fields at Ashton Vale – which could become a town green unless supporters of a new stadium for Bristol City Football Club get their way – are not included.

Several well-used parks are also not part of the consultation, as they are already subject to their own improvement plans.

These include Greville Smyth Park, St John's Churchyard and Gores Marsh.

The Bristol City Council report on Bedminster and Southville states that the area has a low amount of publicly accessible space and, although it is of a high enough standard, it would not be enough to accommodate the needs of a growing population.

So the plan also proposes buying Hebron Burial Ground and adding the playing fields at South Street into the park.

Other areas of council-owned space could also be turned over for public use, although the report does not specify where. A number of existing parks could be upgraded with money raised from land sales, though.

The council has put forward a number of ideas for areas that could be improved over the 20-year period of the project.

Although it won't have the money to fund them all, the authority wants residents to say which they would prefer. While the Ashton Vale landfill site is not covered by the green spaces plan, the Ashton Vale playing fields are and could see a number of changes.

A children's play area could be introduced near the park entrance from Langley Crescent, along with a shelter, railings along the southern boundary and new seating.

Railings could also be added to the edge of land at Dalby Avenue, to give it more of a park feel.

Surfacing and lighting could also be improved, with a dog area and a path running through the centre of the park.

Suggestions for Dame Emily Park include introducing a community garden, new seating and railings.

South Street Park could see new play equipment for children, a dog-free area and shelters for children and teenagers.

Consultation on the plans is set to continue until Friday.

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 consultation period ends on October 29, until then, people can get in touch with us via the website, telephone, or write to us."

To view the detailed proposals go to www.bristol.gov.uk/agsp.

What do you think of the proposals for your area? Email s.rkaina@bepp.co.uk or write to Sam Rkaina, Evening Post, Temple Way, Bristol, BS99 7HD.