BERATE DISBANDS!

The withdrawl of the current planning application for a Tesco superstore at Ashton Gate has now been confirmed by the City Planning Officers.

At the meeting of campaigners earlier in the week, it was decided that if the application was withdrawn or refused BERATE would disband, to allow the residents and club time and room to engage fully on the new ideas for development at Ashton Gate.

The campaigners take little credit for the withdrawl of the application, but we have succeeded in our efforts to enpower the residents to engage fully in developments that affect their quality of life.

We strongly advise both the club and Sainsburys to make every effort at more meaningful engagement and consultation during the development of their plans for the future of Ashton Gate, and to ensure that, issues such as the fate of the Winterstoke road site, traffic management, opening hours and retail impacts are discussed from the start rather than being ignored.

We cannot guarantee that any new application will not attract opposition from residents, as we do not, and have never claimed to speak for everyone, but people will have to make up their own minds on reading the details of the application and decide if they think the impacts will be less, the same or more. For those who want to continue engaement on planning issues, the GReater Bedminster Community Partnership have set up an eforum, which can be found at:

http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bemmy-forum

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the campaign with time, good will and contributions.

22 Responses to “BERATE DISBANDS!”

  1. Chris Says:

    Cheerio! :)

  2. Charlie Bolton Says:

    Well done, Chris. (And all)

  3. Tom Says:

    Well done everyone…

  4. Ali Robertson Says:

    Well done Chris. You’ve conducted yourself extremely well throughout (under sometimes trying circumstances) and been a valuable voice often.

  5. Tarquin Says:

    We should still stand against them, where is the ne wesbite

  6. Esther Says:

    Well done! Good work.

  7. Billy Says:

    Do you not feel a bit silly now, due to being sent on a wild goose chase!!!!

  8. Gareth Rae Says:

    A round of applause for all those who gave freely of their time and energies to ensuring that the voices of those who opposed the development were heard and considered.

  9. chris hutt Says:

    Congratulations to all involved in Berate for showing that it is possible for local people to stand up against the big players and protect your local community. Nothing will ever be the same again.

  10. Jo Cross Says:

    A big ‘thank you ‘ from myself and my family for all the hard work the steering group and others have put into the Berate campaign. Community feeling has really struck home – we received a letter from B.C.F.C. – hand-delivered – today assuring us of direct consultation as developments get underway. However thanks to your efforts, a standard for future engagement has been set, particularly on environmental issues.
    Again, heartfelt thanks.

  11. Richard Lane Says:

    Cheerio

    To all at Berate.

    This seems a good result for everyone concerned.

    I personally feel very happy at the outcome so far but tinged with a little frustration.

    Good luck for the future.

    Richard Lane

  12. Simply Southville Says:

    Well done Chris, Tom and everyone else who gave their time to BERATE. You’ve done a fantastic job.

    Time for a well earned break.

  13. organiclocal Says:

    Berate hits top spot on google world search! Time to go…..and have a few jars to celebrate.

  14. Steven Says:

    Thank you very much for your time and effort…
    Myself and my family are hugely grateful to you all for your work.

    xxx

  15. iammikek Says:

    even though tescos is out of the plan, we are still facing the prospect of an even larger store replacing the city ground on ashtongate which will have huge implications for traffic and the people of bs3. the fact that tescos aren’t building is irrelevant AFAIK. This isn’t over by a long shot. Lets keep this momentum and use it for its continuing objective to reflect the views and needs of bs3 dwellers.

  16. Alan Baker Says:

    We will still need to keep reminding people in the community and all interested parties that many of the objections raised to the original superstore application still stand, particularly if the proposed Sainsbury’s store is bigger. There would have to be cast-iron guarantees that the existing Sainsbury’s site could not be used for retail purposes, should they move. Also it is worth making sure that alternative proposals are considered, along the lines of George Ferguson’s proposals.

    All that said, we owe Chris and others who have put so much time and effort into BERATE a massive thanks and I am sure that it has influenced events. You have done a brilliant job. It has certainly strengthened the Bedminster community and I am sure will have encouraged a good number of people to have on-going involvement in the development of the area.

  17. Trevor Johnson Says:

    Great news! Well done everyone in Bedminster, Southville, Ashton and further afield who voiced their opposition.

    The battle may be won but the fight will doubtless continue, as the site remains a target. If BCFC relocates, a masterplan should be drawn up for the site by the community, showing what we want.

  18. htuttle Says:

    Well done. Award winningly successful campaigning.

  19. Trevor Johnson Says:

    BCFC are now publicly promoting the Sainsbury’s and 250 homes here http://www.supportcity.net/benefits.html . Also included are a gym and “study centre”. I feel that the (presumably relocated) Sainsbury’s is likely to have a similarly detrimental effect on North Street as the proposed Tesco!

    I, for one, would not welcome *any* supermarket proposal on this site.

  20. Southville Deli Says:

    If a new much larger Sainsburys is built so much closer to North Street than the existing one, it will
    still result in the demise of North Street. Sainsburys aren’t moving closer for North Streets benefit.

  21. AliceF Says:

    I just want to reiterate that a good place to continue discussion on this and any other local issues (not just planning) is the official ‘local issues forum’ for Greater Bedminster. To join go to: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bemmy-forum. Up local democracy!

  22. Anne Says:

    This whole campaign drew the community together and got everybody thinking, including the club.It is a good result but we need to keep being vocal as the Sainsbury’s plan is still a threat to North Street and carries all the issues the Tesco plan did ie. superstore on people’s doorsteps,air pollution, road safety,etc..come on BCFC think outside the retail box please!

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