MANY Evening Post articles and letters have made it clear that Bristol should keep its ice rink. What makes the closure decision all the more baffling is the intention to replace it with student flats.

There is a massive building just next to the ice rink that is already student flats as are many former office buildings off Baldwin Street. The seven storey blocks on Maudlin Street and Jamaica Street are student flats, as are conversions off Nelson Street and Redcliffe Street.

This at a time when all the predictions show a massive drop in student numbers from next year. The outrageous top-up fees and the prospect of starting working life with around £50,000 debt has clearly put off many. Not surprising, really.

Nor is it surprising that the council will consider it useful to have extra student flats, even in the light of these predictions. Bristol City Council has some "previous" when it comes to lacking in foresight. Take the Primary Schools situation for example.

About five years ago the council set out on a programme of closing primary schools. Some, like New Oak in Hengrove, saw the parents and locals fight back, and the school was kept open. In many cases, like Romney Avenue and Stockwood Green, the school went.

And now for September 2012 we are looking at a shortfall of 1,000 primary school places.

Yet Romney Avenue school site is still there, as is, just up the road, the former Lockleaze Secondary site.

These could be converted into Primary Accommodation. But no, the council will sell them off

In summary, an ice rink we do want – will we get it? No. Primary accommodation we do want – will we get it? No. Property speculators we don't want – will we get them? Yes. Student flats we probably don't need – will we get them? Yes.

Jerry Hicks

Respect Party member