Small Bristol group sees off big developer

[Gerrard Winstanley]

Small Bristol group sees off Big Developer 
by chocolate rabbit - Greenbank Chocolate Box Tuesday, Jun 26 2007, 
http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=26473Array&sc=1
[click the link above for pictures]

Campaign for sustainability and community values succeeds! 
A Public Inquiry has decided in favour of a community group

The gates are open for green developers to come in with proposals to 
redevelop the Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory, alongside the Bristol-
Bath cycle path in Greenbank, Bristol.

Local people have successfully campaigned to stop development giant 
Persimmon getting their hands on the site, demolishing the buildings, 
replacing them with shoebox houses and flats and moving on with a 
huge profit in their hands - all without considering the needs of the 
planet or the community.

A Public Inquiry held earlier this month saw Persimmon's heavyweight 
barrister Christopher Lockhart Mummery, QC trying to put forward the 
case for big profits against the arguments put forward by two 
opposing parties: on the one hand Greenbank Chocolate Box community 
group representatives: on the other, Bristol City Council's planning 
and employment officers and the Council's junior barrister.

Local architect George Ferguson assured the Planning Inspector that 
if he dismissed the appeal thereby refusing planning permission, he 
was in very close communication with two alternative developers who 
were keen to bid for the site and develop it according to sustainable 
principles.

One of the main reasons the Planning Inspector dismissed the appeal 
was that the case had been made for mixed use of the site, providing 
much needed employment to local people.

The local community is delighted at the news and looks forward to 
working for a brighter future for the people of Easton and the 
surrounding area, users of the Bristol-Bath railway path, and for 
other groups who dare to challenge the big developers. 

http://www.greenbankchocolatebox.org.uk