LOCKLEAZE COUNCILLORS' FURY OVER MP's OPEN SPACES CLAIM
NEW Tory MP Charlotte Leslie has been accused of scaremongering over claims of a threat to open space at Lockleaze - a threat which is non-existent.
Lib Dem councillors Sean Emmett and Guy Poultney are angry about the Bristol North West MP’s false claim that Lockleaze Open Space, which forms part of Purdown, could see houses built as part of the council’s open spaces strategy, now out for consultation.
Councillor Emmett said: “Local residents are understandably upset over the prospect of housing on this site - but to say it is a council or a Lib Dem proposal is simply not true.
“The council’s open space strategy was started by the previous, Tory-backed, Labour administration in 2008. The proposal was to sell off some parcels of low-value land to raise money, but under Labour’s original plans there was no guarantee that any of the funds would be ploughed back into improving other open spaces.
“Following pressure from the Lib Dems and parks groups, Labour agreed that 70% of any disposals would be ring-fenced and ploughed back into parks. The Lib Dems took over running the council in spring 2009 when Labour resigned and continued the first phase of consultation, which was already under way.
“I became increasingly concerned that council officers were claiming that the Lockleaze Open Space was deemed to be of low value, whereas I know how important it is to local people. That’s why I arranged for extra meetings to take place, outside the formal consultation process, so that council officers were left in no doubt about the strength of local feeling.
“The second phase of the consultation now acknowledges the strength of local feeling on the importance of the Lockleaze Open Space, but council officers included the prospect of some development on the Lockleaze Open space to fund improvements elsewhere on Purdown as an option for consultation if residents want it.
“Neither I nor my colleague, Guy Poultney, have been contacted by anyone who actually wants development here, and I fully expect the current consultation will reinforce that view. I want as many residents as possible to take part in the consultation to make their views known. As I have made clear at numerous local meetings, there are other ways that funds can be generated to improve our local parks.
“The Lib Dems set up the Lockleaze Vision Project for the local community to work out a vision for the future of Lockleaze, in partnership with the Council. That document is in the process of being finalised but it is very clear that local people want to see any future development take place within the existing built-up area - the old school and garage sites for example - and to protect the green open spaces.
“With the Vision in place we will be able to make sure the planning briefs for these sites will provide a contribution towards green spaces in the area, including Purdown.
“This Lockleaze Vision project was severely undermined when the Tories put Labour back in control of the council in 2007, with Labour attempting to sell off the former Romney Avenue Junior School site before the Lockleaze Vision process was barely under way, let alone complete.
“It also resulted in other initiatives/projects, including the Open Spaces Strategy, by-passing the joined-up working the Lib Dems had established.
“The Lib Dems have pledged to fight to protect Purdown as green open space for over 25 years.
“It’s the Lib Dems who are responsible for bringing back Stoke Park into public ownership after it was sold off to property developers under the Tories.
“We are now looking for a compromise on the issue of South Purdown whereby pitches could be provided for Fairfield School to use, but without the need for the area to be fenced off at huge expense to the taxpayer.”
Councillor Guy Poultney said: “This scaremongering by Charlotte Leslie is the worst kind of cynical manipulative PR politics.
“This is a consultation to let people have their say on the future of our parks and green spaces. To portray it as anything else is simply misinformation.
“People love Lockleaze Open Space. It’s why we pushed the council to acquire it. No one wants to see it turned into housing. It’s disgusting to see an MP trying to frighten people like this.”
· The city council is currently consulting the public on a series of Area Green Space Plans - ideas and options papers which set out how Bristol’s communities can have better access to a range of quality parks, green spaces and facilities.
· These plans will guide improvements and changes to green spaces over the next 20 years. Consultation is open until October 29. To comment visit www.bristol.gov.uk/agsp or call 0117 922 3719.
Notes
· Map of Purdown, including Lockleaze Open Space, South Purdown and Stoke Park attached.
· The Stoke Park estate was sold off by the National Health Service to property developers under the Conservative Government in the 1980s
· This land is now being brought back into public ownership as a result of a process initiated by the Lib Dem administration in 2005
· Lockleaze Open Space was formerly known as Lockleaze Playing Fields. Part of the site was at the Lindsay Road end used to be marked out for playing fields.
· FFI contact Cllr Sean Emmett on 07788 973674
· FFI contact Guy Poultney on 07905 890 532