'Help me stop this green land from being built over'

WHITCHURCH residents are being urged to turn out again for a public inquiry to prevent a park being built on.

The public inquiry into Elmtree Park Residents' Association bid to secure town green status for the 15 acres behind Asda in Oatlands Avenue should have been held two months ago but the city council, which is opposing the move, had not got its case prepared in time.

Forty residents attended the aborted hearing and John Button, who is leading the campaign for town green status for the park, is hoping that as many will attend for part of the three- day inquiry which will be held at the Council House in Bristol starting on June 29.

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.

Local people are concerned that the 15 acres will also be swallowed up unless it is protected.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for town green status.

Fifty 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.

Chairman of the residents' association John Button, 68, of Cranwell Grove, Whitchurch, a retired Rolls Royce inspector, is one of three residents who will be giving evidence at the inquiry.

Mr Button began the campaign in 2004 when he found out about the development plans for Hengrove Park.

He said: "A larger committee room as been allocated for the inquiry at the Council House.

"We are delivering leaflets throughout Whitchurch to let people know when the inquiry will be held.

"It could last three days, but people do not have to stay for the whole thing.

"They could pop in for an hour to hear some of the evidence. It will demonstrate the strength of feeling in the area over this."

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.