First Annual Report – The campaign so far

The opposition to the stadium redevelopment plans started in the time honoured tradition by residents coming together to form a residents action group; to discuss the development plans and see what impact those plans would have on their lives and homes.

Stage 1 of the campaign.
Many residents then raised matters of concern with the developers, Councillors and the Council during the consultation stages of the redevelopment planning application by letter, and then finally writing formal letters of objection to the plans in time for the Development control (North) meeting on January 17th 2007. In many cases residents sent statements to the committee to re-enforce their concerns.

However, few of the concerns raised were actually dealt with at the above meeting. Issues such as the perimeter road around the boundary of the stadium with its’ predicted traffic of 1000+ vehicles using it per day, the 24 hour/7 days a week activity at the stadium due to the hotel, student accomodations, conference centre, etc., general noise and pollution, and the general impact on the area during matches were not examined rigorously, as demanded by the residents.

There is no question in the minds of residents and observers, having witnessed a sequence of events at the planning committee, and subsequent revelations, that serious questions remain unanswered - questions that further erodes trust in our local council. The news concerning Councillor Martin Kerry being ‘gagged’ (Evening Post – January), late substitutions, and other events related to the meeting added to the feeling of injustice.


Stage 2 was the official complaint to the Council over the Planning Application, the above meeting, and codes of conduct the Council failed to adhere to.

So, where are we now.

Stage 3 The complaint has been passed to the Local Government Ombudsman, together with additional supporting evidence. The timescale for the completion of this stage is not currently known, though the Ombudsman has confirmed he has received a response to his questions from the council. (see Possible decisions by the Ombudsman or download the LGO Guidance document as a acrobat/pdf file.)



Stage 4 has not yet been finalised. Planning for this stage is proceeding, though it is dependent on the final report from the Ombudsman and as such, it is prudent not to announce our proposed intentions at the present time.

From the start of the campaign we have endevoured to maintain three main principles :

1. To be non-political.
2. Not to be anti-sport or anti-Bristol Rovers/Bristol Rugby. Many members of HorfieldROSE are club supporters, and we fully recognise we have to present a balanced view in the work we do on behalf of HorfieldROSE.
3. To ensure the Stadium redevelopment has no impact on the local environment or the amenity of any home in Horfield and Bishopston in any way.
   

HorfieldROSE Committee