Bristol allotment sell off scandal scam

[Tony Gosling]

ALLOTMENTS FOR SALE! WHO’S GETTING RICH OFF THE GREAT GREEN SPACES LAND GRAB?
August 17, 2013
tags: David Bishop, George Ferguson, Grant 
Thornton, Gus Hoyt, Hollis Morgan, Lynn Taylor, 
Nigel Morrison, Richard Hicken, Rob Telford, 
Scout Enterprises, St. Werburgh's, Stephen McNamara, Veale Wasbrough Vizards
by Jooohn Ag
http://thebristolian.net/2013/08/17/allotments-for-sale-whos-getting-rich-off-the-great-green-spaces-land-grab/

Battle lines are being drawn in St. Werburgh’s 
between green-fingered local residents and 
sharp-suited corporate vultures over a blatant 
INNER CITY LAND GRAB following the announcement 
that the Lynmouth Road allotments will come onto the open market next month.
The one-acre parcel of land, with a guide price 
of £20,000, is being AUCTIONED OFF on 25th 
September by Clifton-based estate agent HOLLIS 
MORGAN. Its brochure notes that “there may be 
some long term development potential”, and 
suggests the possibility of vacant possession – 
which would only happen with the eviction of 
allotment holders. To rub salt into the wound, 
Hollis Morgan made the announcement just after National Allotments Week!
The Lynmouth Road site had been owned by training 
provider SCOUT ENTERPRISES (which readers with 
long memories may recall was heavily involved in 
compulsory workfare schemes, from Project Work 
through to Work Programme) before it went tits-up late last year.
Since then the ‘independent assurance, tax and 
advisory firm’ GRANT THORNTON has been in charge, 
and now its crack team of ‘recovery and 
reorganisation’ specialists – Richard Hicken, 
Nigel Morrison and Lynn Taylor – is ready to 
ASSET-STRIP THE ARSE OFF THE ALLOTMENTS.
Of course, this being Ashley ward, they face 
stern resistance from BS2's mighty Green Party 
councillor duo SIR AUGUSTUS ‘THE DORK KNIGHT’ 
HOYTY-TOYTY and his sidekick ROB ‘BOY WONDER’ 
TELFORD. By “stern resistance” we do of course 
mean firm promises to “ensure it is referred to 
the relevant planning committee”, the possibility 
of a petition, and the submission of “strong objections” – TAKE THAT, THE MAN!
Meanwhile, the legal side of the St. Werburgh’s 
land grab is being handled by none other than 
VEALE WASBROUGH VIZARDS, the current home to 
baldy-headed former Bristol City Council 
lawyer-in-chief STEPHEN ‘MAHNA MAHNA’ MCNAMARA, 
and – as we may have mentioned before – best 
known for representing Catholic private school 
St. Benedict’s during a paedo priest scandal.
Whilst it isn’t known if McNamara is directly 
involved in this deal, he has certainly in the 
past been connected to what you might politely 
describe as ‘odd’ green-spaces-to-developers 
deals. One notable one also involved GEORGE 
FERGUSON before he bought won the Mayoralty and 
appointed the never-knowingly-overinformed Sir 
Hoyty-Toyty to become his ever-loyal Minister of 
Blue Peter Appeal Milk Bottle Top Collections.
So the Lynmouth Road allotment holders might be 
wise not to put too much faith in the likes of 
Hoyty-Toyty to draw a particularly deep line in 
the sand over their green space.