One thousand reasons not to build homes on our park
MORE than 1,000 names have been collected on a petition in the fight against housing plans for St Anne's Park.
Hundreds of letters have also been written – 300 of them by children at nearby schools – opposing the loss of open space put forward as an option in Bristol City Council's Area Green Space Plan.
-
Residents of St Anne's, Brislington and surrounding areas protest against the plans to build new homes
The raft of possible improvements and developments to the park and St Anne's Wood includes the building of a line of 19 houses on a strip of land behind Newbridge Road.
The council said the houses would face the park and secure "natural surveillance" but residents who live nearby are against any new building.
They are campaigning to save the land and held an event in the park to encourage more people to join the fight. About 200 turned up during the day, many of them using the time to write a protest letter.
Amanda King, 36, of Newbridge Road, is one of the organisers of the campaign.
She said: "We were inundated with people. We put out lots of information explaining what was proposed and how they could comment, along with paper, pens and envelopes.
"We also had a keep-fit session running and a tree drawing competition for the children, as well as lots of games."
Ms King, a marketing manager, said area councillors Simon Crew and Mike Wollacott attended, together with members of local groups.
She said: "The park is a real community space that is well used by lots of people.
"Many knew nothing about the proposals until they read it in the Evening Post and we want to make sure everyone is aware of what could happen so they have the chance to have their say."
Ms King has also appealed for anyone with information about the history of the park to get in touch, as the campaign group wants to establish if there is anything preventing the land from being developed. She can be contacted on 0117 971 3494.
6 Comments
View all
by oojama, Bristol
Monday, July 26 2010, 1:40PM
“No in the planning world a petition counts for just one reason (one objection), even if there are a thousand or a million signatures on it. Quality not quantity, although some balancing of public interest will ofcourse be taken into account when the council decides on planning permission. It is a shame that another of our city's parks is being considered for redevelopment. What people often fail to understand is that just saying 'we dont want houses' doesnt work you have to come up with other workable ideas, good valid points. I hope they succeed in stopping the development but in reality it is about making it more and more difficult for a developer until they give up.”
by Pogo the Clown, .
Monday, July 26 2010, 1:00PM
“"While the park is sat there doing nothing"
Were that the case, I'd agree with you but the park is fairly well used. I can understand the argument for making a small sacrifice which would benefit the park area but the more I investigated, the less balanced the equation seemed to be.
I'm not a NIMBY, or at least I don't *think* I am but this development would seriously restrict something that the community uses, with only another dozen house or so as a payoff.
I appreciate that I don't have the big picture but I've seen no signs that the community is crying out for more housing. Certainly, the number of "For Sale" signs in the area indicates that there *are* properties available.
I appreciate that the work will generate jobs in the area but for how long? How much are we willing to pay for two years of employment?
No, after a bit of investigation and thought, I've decided that this is a bad move on the part of the council and I am opposing it (for what it's worth).
Incidentally, you may be sharpening your quill to come back with accusations of "OMG!! NIMBYY!!" but before you do, could I just ask that you let me know how much you know about this proposal? You know, details like the usage of area, the changes being made, that sort of thing.”
by Jess, bristle
Monday, July 26 2010, 12:20PM
“from the central Bristol office I work in I can see 3 large, disused buildings, and one large building which the squatters are back in once more. There should be no reason to build on green sites when there are plenty of buildings which could be converted, only it would mean that BCC would need to take on the owners instead.”
by James Carmichael, Highridge
Monday, July 26 2010, 12:05PM
“Let's be frank. While the park is sat there doing nothing, it's hardly helping to solve any of the city's problems.
I, for one, would like to see mor ambitious plans that not only put significant housing on site (creating much needed jobs in the building sector and using 'brown field'/city centre development to minimise the need to build in the green belt) but also extend to wealth creation - offices and car parking to serve the local community and, perhaps (to keep the 'greenies' happy) a dedicated bus terminus.
We need to get this city moving and we shouldn't let a small number of NIMBYs stand in our way.”
by Pogo the Clown, .
Monday, July 26 2010, 9:43AM
“I was there, my name is on the petition, for what it's worth. All a petition is, is a statement of intent that says "If this goes ahead, I'm less likely to vote for you."
I know that some people were signing by proxy, writing down the names of family members who were also opposed but who were not there. Which invalidates the idea of a petition, really.”