Bristol residents' anger over park status delay

Whitchurch residents calling for a park to be protected from development must wait two more months to argue their case after a public inquiry failed to get under way.

Forty people supporting the long-running campaign by Elmtree Park Residents' Association to secure town green status for the 15 acres behind Asda in Oatlands Avenue turned out for the inquiry at the Council House yesterday.

But they were told the hearing would be put back until June because some of the evidence needed to conduct the inquiry was not ready.

Addressing the residents who attended yesterday's hearing, lead inspector Lana Wood said: "The reason I'm not dealing with the case today is because there is further material in the city council archive which is relevant and without looking at that, in my ignorance I might reach the wrong decision."

People in the audience criticised the city council's legal representative William Webster for failing to ensure all his evidence was in place to get the inquiry under way on time.

They also asked Miss Wood, to hold the rescheduled inquiry at a venue in Whitchurch rather than in the city centre.

The land is opposite Hengrove Park, a large part of which has been earmarked for 690 new homes, a community hospital and a swimming pool.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for town green status. Some 50 residents have written letters, which also form part of the evidence, detailing how the park has been used for football, tennis, cricket, dog walking and picnics over the years.

Due to give evidence on behalf of the residents at the inquiry were John Button, Andrew Hartles and Ray Andrews, all of whom will now have to wait until the three-day hearing in June to have their say.

Mr Button, who lives in Cromwell Grove, began the campaign in 2004 when he found out about the development plans for Hengrove Park.

The case rests on owners of the land, Bristol City Council, proving the site had been designated as a formal open space in 1980.

The residents, who are being represented by barrister Daniel Bennett, say the land was recorded as an informal open space in 1963 and there is no record of any change in status of the land in 1980. Mr Bennett says if the land is classed as an informal open space, it can qualify to be made a town green. A park is eligible for town green status if it has been used as a recreational space for at least 20 years.

Mr Bennett says he has proof that the land was used for recreation 60 years ago.

The inquiry was adjourned until June 29.