Last open space in hotwells will be built on

[Ecovillage Network UK]

LAST OPEN SPACE IN HOTWELLS WILL BE BUILT ON
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145176&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144906&contentPK=11334208

BY IAN ONIONS

16:30 - 18 November 2004

The Fight to save the last piece of open land in Hotwells from being built 
on has finally been lost, and developers are expected to start work on 
Granby Green early next year. After a stand-off with developer Edward Ware 
Homes lasting almost two and half years, the campaign group hoping to 
secure town green status for the land has admitted defeat.

Work is set to start on building three townhouses and nine or ten flats 
early in 2005.

A legal order has now been signed on behalf of the Friends of Granby Green 
and Bristol City Council, which recognises that the patch of land does not 
have town green status.

Clifton-based developer Edward Ware will now go ahead with the purchase of 
the land from the land owners Petherton Limited.

Mr Ware said: "There has been a gross mismanagement of public funds over 
this. All we asked for was to be dealt with fair and square but this never 
happened.

"If the planning inspector had found against us, then we would have 
accepted that decision and walked away.

"But there were two public inquiries that both found in our favour - and 
yet the council still proceeded with this."

He said that one of the inspectors appointed to investigate Granby Green's 
status described the site as "an obvious candidate for development".

A ruling in the High Court banned the city council from being involved in 
any of the decision-making over the status of the site.

This led to Julie Watkins, former chair of the Friends of Granby Green, 
being named in an application for town green status.

Mr Ware said it was pointed out to her that they intended to pursue the 
matter in the High Court and as her name was on the application, she would 
be liable for costs estimated at about £70,000.

This led to an agreement in which the application was withdrawn on the 
grounds that costs would not be sought against her.

Ms Watkins and the council subsequently signed a legal order which 
recognised that the site was not a town green.

Ms Watkins was not available for comment.

However, spokesman from the group Bruce Williamson admitted this latest 
move signalled the end of the campaign. He said: "We had no option but to 
back down."

Mr Ware said one third of the site would be left as open space. He said 
that this was agreed before the campaigners started their fight.

But Mr Williamson said this open space was no more than a "glorified verge".



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