HoLA flyer
Here’s a PDF file of our flyer for you to download.
Updates from various meetings
South Bristol Link
The steering committe has prepared a draft response to the consultants report and will be submitting it shortly.
If you want to read the report in full its on the West of England Partnership website under transport. The report considers 5 options, combinations of road and rapid transport over different routes. Two routes are examined for the section between the A370 and A38. The “red” route and one roughly following Yanley Lane. The report does not make any recommendations.
Save Our Green Spaces
I think I have mentioned before that there is an informal group forming around the objective of protecting the green belt. We have had an offer of assistance from an environmental charity to provide a co-ordinator and to obtain a legal view on the RSS. This would advise the best way to object to the RSS and at least delay its implementation. The group still has no formal name, but agreed on high level objectives and strategy. The aim is to co-ordinate all the like minded groups in the South West, which are covered by the RSS
You may have seen the Evening Post article in which the minister for the south west Ben Bradshaw was reported as encouraging local authorities to “stand up to the NIMBYs”. This has evidently upset a lot of people and there will be a number of responses to him. This may have been a deliberate attempt to stir up a response, which he has. It may also be encouraging that we have entered the second of the four phases of a campaign. These are: 1) They ignore you, 2) They try to discredit you, 3) They engage, 4) Something changes.
The green spaces co-ordinator has produced a useful checklist of points to make in reply, if anyone wants to respond individually email me and I will forward this to you. We can decide at our next meeting whether we should make a group response.
Rod Sterland
in the Press
Here’s a piece from the Western Daily Press, published on 26 March 2009.
HOLA Meeting last Tuesday
I think I can say that the meeting on Tuesday was a success. The Village Hall was full with many people having to stand, despite all the chairs being brought into action. Probably 150 people present.
Thank you to all those who helped with chairs, organisation, teas coffees, projector, computer, displays etc.
For those who did not attend:
I started with a run through of a NS presentation provided by Michael Reep which outlined each of the proposed developments and helpfully put them into context on one map. Interestingly only about a quarter had also been to the PC meeting and seen the presentation before.
The presenter who had agreed to come from JT Group to talk about the stadium did not turn up. Fortunately, this was partially covered in the NS presentation.
John Baker from Baker Associates presented their proposals for Ashton Park, including some of the background to their decision some years ago that the area was ripe for development.
Mike Landen told us about the South Bristol Link and why and how the Alliance has opposed it.
Debbie Nichols from Dundry Residents Action Group told us about how her group has developed and encouraged us to become active and to work to save the green belt.
There were questions from the floor and some very supportive comments including at least one offer of real help. Most of the questions were sensible and we avoided any acrimony.
The media were present and we also think the developers were there as well.
Over £140 was donated and 20 villagers have asked to be put on the mailing list. So welcome to them and please get involved; we need all the help we can. If you can help please come to our working meeting, which is being arranged in the next couple of weeks. I will keep you informed.
South Bristol Link
We had a meeting of the SBRR Alliance last night and discussed our response to the Mott MacDonald report, which assesses 5 options for the SBL. This comprises 97 pages but is well structured and not too hard to penetrate, if a bit long. Our overall conclusion is that it actually supports all the things we have been saying. It admits that the road options do not meet most of the government policy objectives. The Rapid transit option meets most of the criteria except that for regeneration, but fails on the benefit to cost ratio. It is a similar story for the regional objectives. We will be responding!
Green Spaces Alliance
After the demonstration at the Architecture Centre, the green spaces alliance continues to grow in strength and numbers. There are some important developments on the horizon, which I hope to be able to tell you about when we have our working meeting.
Rod Sterland
The demo last Saturday
Many thanks to those of you who came to the demo on Saturday. There was a good turnout despite the cold, and the riot police were there for the football supporters not for us! I was quite encouraged by the messages being given by the politicians and the prospective candidates. The new Bristol City Councillor with responsibility for transport (Jon Rogers) was quite forthright in his opposition to building in the green belt. It was also pleasing to see groups from as far as Cheltenham and interest being expressed from Cornwall. The Evening Post coverage can be seen on www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news. There are ideas around for follow up actions.
Ashton Park’s web site
Is now open for business at www.ashton-park.co.uk. You will be relieved to learn that the development will be “a people’s place”.
HOLA! Open Meeting
We will be holding an open meeting on 17th March in the Village Hall start 7:30. Arrangements are being made but we hope to be able to present details of the many development proposals that could be inflicted on our village. Come along to be informed and to support our campaign. As always help in organising would be very welcome.
Click here to download a poster.
Public Protest Meeting
Outside The Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay Bristol. BS1 4QA (on the Bristol harbourside, next to the youth hostel). The exhibition is in The Main Gallery.
If you like jumping up and down in red tee shirts this is for you. Otherwise, come along anyway.
HOLA! Inaugural Meeting
We got off to a good start on Tuesday with everyone present agreeing to do something. This is what we need. Thanks to all who came.
Public Protest Meeting
You will be aware from the TV and newspaper coverage that the Baker Associates plans have been made public. The publicity is aimed at persuading us that this is firstly a good thing and secondly that it is certain to happen. Neither are true. The development cannot go ahead unless the RSS is approved. There is considerable opposition at all levels to the RSS not least amongst MPs and local elected representatives. We need to keep up the pressure on all of them to show them that public opinion is strongly against the proposals.
The organisations against the green belt developments are organising a protest demonstration coinciding with the Baker Associates presentations. This will be covered by the media and the more who attend the more impact it will have. If you like jumping up and down in red tee shirts this is for you. Otherwise, come along anyway.
This is on Saturday 7th March starting at 13:30 outside, The Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay Bristol. BS1 4QA (on the Bristol harbourside, next to the youth hostel). The exhibition is in The Main Gallery.
The publicity information has been circulated via the Parish Council and will soon be available on this website or by email from me, (big files).
The attached cutting is from the Clevedon Mercury. The argument is now very clearly with the government. A stong and continued show of public opposition cannot be ignored indefinitely.
HOLA! Open Meeting
We will be holding an open meeting on 17th March in the Village Hall start 7:30. Arrangements are being made but we hope to be able to present details of the many development proposals that could be inflicted on our village. Come along to be informed and to support our campaign. As always help in organising would be very welcome.
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