List of Bristol Parks Forum Members >>
Listing of Parks and Park Groups >>
BPF Parks & Green Spaces Strategy page >>
| Latest News | Contacts | Meetings | email list | Membership | Information for Park Groups |
Bristol Parks Forum
Bristol Parks Forum was established by Bristol Parks as an umbrella organisation for community park groups and organisations in the city with an interest in their local parks and green spaces.
The forum is supported by Bristol City Council but acts independently and is currently the only 'community voice' that is dedicated to all of Bristol's green spaces.
The forum's three main roles are:
- to offer an opportunity to share ideas and experience;
- to act as a consultation body for the Bristol Parks service and other agencies;
- to influence decision-making, including the allocation of resources.
Bristol Parks Forum Terms of Reference
Interested in starting a group? Contact the Bristol Parks Forum:
How do I find a park?
Map of all Parks & Green Spaces on Bristol City Council Website >>
Bristol City Council managed parks & green spaces are marked like this: 
Or use www.bristol.gov.uk/my-neighbourhoods enter your address and use the 'My Nearest' tab. Parks & Green Spaces are listed under 'Leisure & culture'.
To keep up to date with the latest news sign up to our mailing list >>
| AGSP | Neighbourhood Engagement Team | National Planning Policy | Knowle West | Grove Wood | Bristol's Trees | Events in Parks | Park Improvements & DDA Compliance | Town Green Applications | Castle Park | Wild City | Stoke Park | National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces |
Area Green Space Plans
At the Full Council meeting on 17 May 2011 (following the May elections where the LibDems lost overall control of the Council) Cllr Janke, who was elected as Leader, outlined a number of issues that were agreed by all parties. This included halting all disposals under the Green Spaces Strategy and setting up a cross-party working group to look again at the strategy. The Press Release following that meeting can be seen here.
The cross-party working group held 20 meetings and presented a report to Full Council on 22nd November. The Council decided to defer the decision on disposal of 49 spaces for the Neighbourhood Committees to decide.
Cross Party Working Group Report to Full Council 22 Nov 2011
BPF Committee Statement to Full Council 22 Nov 2011
Report to Cabinet 26 January 2012
Neighbourhood Partnerships have been asked to consider how they want to work with Parks to agree the priorities for investment in their area. The intention is for NPs to agree a list of priorities for investment in their area. Most NPs are now proceeding with this process and should be involving park groups. Groups should contact their NP coordinator if they have not been contacted about this process.
BPF Parks & Green Spaces Strategy page - more information and background >>
Neighbourhood Engagement Team
Area Environment Officers - the 1st point of contact for Park Groups at BCC
Environment and Leisure Services will be introducing Area Environment Officers (formerly with the title Neighbourhood Engagement Officers) from the 1st November 2011. This is a new post that will take on and allow improvement in some of the functions currently carried out the service. There are seven Area Environment Officers, each working in a certain area of the city.
The links below are to pdf documents giving more information and contact details for your Area Environment Officer (these were the papers distributed at the BPF meeting on 13th October).
Neighbourhood Engagement Team Overview
Area Environment Officers - map and contact details
Neighbourhood Engagement Team - Questions & Answers
National Planning Policy
Green Space Under Threat?
There were two national consultations that closed on 17 October 2012 and a further one on Neighbourhood Planning that is now under way.
The first was from Defra on Town Greens which can be seen at:
www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/07/25/town-village-greens
BPF Response to Town Green Consultation - agreed 15th October
Second was the draft National Planning Policy Framework from the Department for Communities and Local Government: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/draftframework
There has been a fair bit of press coverage about the planning framework and its plan for sustainable development. There are campaigns against it at the CPRE and RSPB amongst others. While developers seem to welcome it.
The BPF committee responded to the consultation on the NPPF by writing in support of the joint letter written by all four leaders of the political parties on Bristol City Council.
The current consultation is on the Neighbourhood Planning process that will be introduced via the Localism Bill. This is the process that will allow residents to compile their own Neighbourhood Plan. Details and links to the consultation can be seen via the press release here:
www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2007557
Linked to all this is some information on the Defra website including:
Defra - Natural Environment White Paper
Defra - Green Infrastructure Partnership
Defra - More green space for our towns and cities
Knowle West Regeneration Framework
Bristol City Council is consulting on a Knowle West Regeneration Framework to guide the planned regeneration in Knowle West. This regeneration will impact on several parks and green spaces in the area. As a result of this upcoming consultation this area is currently excluded from the AGSP and Site Allocations Consultations which cover the rest of the City.
More information at www.northern-slopes-initiative.co.uk
Knowle West Community Website - www.knowlewest.co.uk
Council's webpage for Knowle West Regeneration Framework
Proposed options for the Kingswear/Novers/Marksbury Road Masterplan
Grove Wood
BPF members The Snuff Mills Action Group are campaigning to ensure that Grove Wood is managed for wildlife, public enjoyment and educational use.
The Council has agreed that it should purchase the wood and declare it as a Local Nature Reserve. SMAG have also applied for Town Green status for the land - see below.
More information at http://snuffmills.blogspot.com
Bristol's Trees
Trees are some of the most important features in our parks and open spaces and Bristol Parks Forum has always also had an interest in street trees.
The Bristol Tree Forum (formerly the Bristol Street Tree Forum) discusses issues relating to all trees in Bristol
Bristol Tree Forum Agenda, Minutes, Information >>
Planting a tree with the council’s TreeBristol campaign >>
Events in Parks
Bristol Parks Forum has formed a Working Group to work with Bristol Parks and the Events team to try and simplify the system for licensing events in parks and green spaces while ensuring that events can be held safely and without excessive impact on other park users. We are keen to see more community events held in Bristol's parks and we believe that events that are aimed at promoting the park or the park group should be lisensed by the Council without charge.
It is right that commercial events that use part of a park should pay charges for the 'hire' of the park. There also needs to be systems in place to ensure that all events are organised properly for the safety of those attending and other park users as well as making sure that the park is not damaged.
If you would like to join the Working Group please email
Rules for event licensing
All events in Bristol's parks where more than 50 people are expected to be on site at the same time need to be licensed through the City Council Events Licensing team (note, this does not include guided walks or volunteer work parties / task days - see below).
For small events with 50 to 200 people on site at one time you need to apply for a Park Permit. The cost is £30 per event (increased from £20 on 1st April 2011). As well as the limit on numbers, there are restrictions on the type of event that can be covered by a park permit, eg events using bouncy castles, marquees, or stage are not covered - you will need a site licence. Update: Park Permit applications do not need a formal risk assessment form to be completed, but you do need to provide a statement about how your event will be organised to show that you have considered possible risks.
For all events with more than 200 people attending or with extensive site set ups you need a Site Licence. This is the landowner's permission, licences for selling alcohol or for entertainment have to be applied for separately. For details see the Event Application Toolkit. Licence charges depend on the size of the event, see below, but for small community events the charge is the same as for a Park Permit.
You may be asked for a bond to be held to pay for any damage to the site. Update: Groups that are members of the BPF and some other established community groups will not be asked for a bond for small events.
For all events you need Public Liability Insurance, for Community Groups holding events with less than 200 people this can be provided by Bristol City Council and included in the park permit / site licence fee.
Email Parks.events@bristol.gov.uk to get the forms or for more information.
Bristol City Council - Schedule of Charges for Events on Council land from 1st April 2011 >>
Volunteer Work Parties / Task Days & Guided Walks:
There is a separate system that allows you to lead guided walks or to lead a group of volunteers carrying out work to improve your park while being covered by Bristol City Council Insurance. In order to do this you need to complete a short training session which will qualify you as a 'competent person'. Then having agreed the work with your Community Park Officer you need to complete some simple paper work for each event.
You can get more information and download the Health and Safety Pack and Forms from the Bristol City Council website at www.bristol.gov.uk/parksafety.
Letter to BCC Events Team from BPF Working group 4th March 2011
Park Improvements and 'DDA' Compliance
Alison gave a presentation on this issue to the BPF meeting in January 2011. At Redland Green steps have been rebuilt to 'DDA standards' but without any consideration for the visual impact and without proper consideration as to whether they were needed. Since the work (as with most work in parks by the council) did not need planning permission there had been no opportunity for residents to have a say in the design.
Following a meeting with Bristol Parks we have agreed a procedure will be put in place so that any new works proposed in parks and green spaces will only happen after proper consultation with Park Groups. This will include works undertaken by other parts of the Council such as the Cycling City team or highways for example.
While law says that the needs of everyone including the disabled should be considered in any project it is important to realise that there is no law that says that steps or ramps have to be built to a particular standard. Work has to include measures that will improve access to the extent that they are are reasonable in the circumstances. Appearance and cost are factors that can be taken into account in deciding what is reasonable.
Alison's paper prepared for the BPF meeting can be seen here.
More information on disabled access and the BCC 'Environmental Access Standards' are on the BCC website.
'By all reasonable means; inclusive access to the outdoors for Disabled people' can be found on the Natural England website.
Town Green Applications
Town and Village Greens developed under customary law as areas of land where local people indulged in lawful sports and pastimes. Anyone can apply to have land registered as a green if it has been used by local people for
recreation ‘as of right’ (i.e. without permission, force or secrecy) for at least 20 years.
Many groups that are members of the Bristol Parks Forum have applied for Town Green status for their sites. In the past the BPF has organised a workshop session and BPF meetings are an opportunity to exchange information.
BPF Response to BCC Town Green Consultation - December 2011
Bristol City Council Consultation on Town & Village Green Applications (runs until 13th December 2011) >>
Defra Consultation on Town & Village Green Applications (closed on 17 October 2011)
BPF Response to Defra Town Green Consultation - agreed 15th October
BPF notes & list of Town Green Applications in Bristol (pdf)
Filwood - Inspector's second report
Ashton Vale Report by Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive, BCC for PRW&G Committee Meeting 16 June 2011
Ashton Vale Applicants' Submission dated 30 Nov 2011 (posted on bristol.indymedia.org)
BCC webpage with links to Ashton Vale Town Green Inspector's Report
BPF Committee Statement to Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee
Meeting 18 April 2011
Details of Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee
Meeting 18 April 2011
defra - Town & Village Greens information
Guidance on the Open Spaces Society website
Common land and village green information on BCC website
Links to BPF member groups making Town Green Applications
Ashton Vale Fields - www.ashtonvaleheritage.co.uk
Easter Garden - www.eastergarden.moonfruit.com
Grove Wood - snuffmills.blogspot.com
Okebourne Park - www.saveourpark.moonfruit.com
Wellington Hill - www.friendsofhorfieldcommon.com
Castle Park
One of the sites that has been rejected for Town Green Status is Castle Park. Proposals for building on a large part of the western end of the park (as part of the redevelopment of the disused buildings around the remains of St Mary Le Port Church) were published in 2006.
Since then the Parks & Green Spaces Strategy has been adopted showing that the area has a shortage of green space and that the existing space should therefore be protected. No disposal of green space at Castle Park was proposed as part of the AGSP consultation in 2010 and all political parties have said they will protect green space not already proposed for disposal. However, in their response to the AGSP the developer still indicated that they wished to build on part of it.
The link below is to an article from the Bristol Civic Society Newsletter by Roger Mortimer suggesting an option for a more sustainable development that would not take part of the park. Our thanks to Roger for his permission to publish it here.
St Mary Le Port and Castle Park - Article from Bristol Civic Society Newsletter >>
Wild City Project
Wild City is a three-year project funded by the Big Lottery
Fund’s Changing Spaces Programme, which is managed by Natural England under the Access to Nature Scheme. Bristol City Council has been awarded a £250,000 grant towards the total project value of £336,000; the project officially started on 29th November 2010.
Details of some of the work that the project undertook in 2011 can be seen in the first newsletter that can be downloaded via the link below.
Download the Wild City Newsletter Issue 1, Winter 2011/12 >>
For more information about the project visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/wildcity
Stoke Park
Bristol City Council Cabinet decided in principle to take Stoke Park into Council ownership at the Cabinet meeting on 2 April 2009.
The final negotiations have now been completed and the transfer took place in January 2012. There were some delays caused by the developer. There was a celebration event to mark the fact that the Council were taking control of the park on Sat 19th March 2011.
Bristol City Council's Stoke Park site - removed when website was updated Aug 2011
Evening Post Report on Transfer 27 Jan 2012 >>
Steve England's Stoke Park site >>
Report to Cabinet 24 March 2011
Report to Cabinet 2 April 2009
Bristol Parks Forum Statement on Stoke Park 24 Feb 2009
National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces
Bristol Parks Forum is a member of the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces (NFPGS) which is the federation of area forums and networks of local Friends and User groups for Britain's green spaces. Roland represents the BPF at the NFPGS
NFPGS Website Home page - www.natfedparks.org.uk
Links to websites of other NFPGS Members
NFPGS leaflets
Love Parks Week 21 - 29 July 2012
Contacts
Bristol Parks Forum
Bristol Parks Forum Committee (as elected 15 Oct 2011):
Chair - Nancy from Kingfisher Group & Windmill Hill Community Orchard
Vice Chair - Fraser from Friends of Brandon Hill
Other committee members:
Alison, Redland & Cotham AS; Rob, Friends of Troopers Hill;
Roland, Mina Rd Park Group; Hugh, Mina Road Park Group; Mary, Castle Park Users Group; Alison, Friends of Elderberry & Friends of Okebourne.
You can email the committee via .
Please note that we are all volunteers and most of us do paid jobs during the day, we will respond to emails as soon as we can but please do not expect an instant response during the day.
Bristol Parks
Bristol Parks or 'Parks and Estates' manage all parks and green spaces in the City of Bristol. If you would like more information about the parks or wish to report any problems or issues relating to your park please contact Bristol Parks directly. Email: or phone 0117 922 3719 - this is available Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5pm (4.30pm Fri). You can also visit the Bristol Parks website at www.bristol.gov.uk/parks.
See also the information about the 'Neighbourhood Engagement Team' in the news section above. The Neighbourhood Engagement Team should be the first point of contact for Park Groups.
Green spaces in Bristol are managed through four administration areas with the large 'Estates' being managed separately. Park maintenance in the North and East areas (and also Estates) is carried out directly by Bristol Parks. Parks in the South and Central areas are maintained by external contractors managed through a Contracts Manager.
The South Contract is run by Quadron and the Central area by English Landscapes. Our Listing of Parks and Park Groups shows which area each park is in.
Bristol Parks Structure and Contacts - does not include Estates
Maps of Administrative Areas
Quadron Structure for South Contract
English Landscapes Structure for Central Contract
Meetings
The forum meets at least four times a year. In addition the BPF committee meet senior managers at Bristol Parks prior to each meeting and at other times if it is considered necessary.
Our meetings are organised by the BPF, with the support of Bristol Parks. The meetings are for
representatives of member groups, they are not public meetings.
If you have not been to one of our meetings before any of our members will be pleased to
welcome you and to explain the format and who is who. Please do introduce yourself to
anyone in the room when you arrive.
Last meeting:
Sat 14 Jan - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Other meeting Dates for 2012: Sat 21st April, Sat 14th July, Sat 13th October.
Previous meetings:
Sat 15 Oct - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Papers on Neighbourhood Engagement Team - Committee as elected
Saturday 16 July - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Saturday 16 April - at at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Agenda Note - BPF Position on the P&GSS
Agenda Note - Current Rules for Events on Bristol Parks
Saturday 29 January - at at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Saturday 9 October - at Netham Pavilion - Minutes here
Saturday 17 July 2010 - Netham Pavilion - Minutes
The main subject of discussion was the Area Green Space Plans.
The minutes include links to the various appendix documents.
Saturday 10th April 2010 - Netham Pavilion - Minutes here.
The following papers give information on topics discussed:
1. Note on Organisational Change
2. List of Park Keepers
3. Events Briefing Note
4. Proposal for Park Group Agreements
5. List of Section 106 money available for Parks
Saturday 16th January 2010 - Vassall Centre, Fishponds BS16 2QQ - Minutes here.
This meeting was followed by a very interesting visit to Snuff Mills hosted by the Snuff Mills Action Group.
Saturday 31st October 2009 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes; Events Workshop Notes; Play Pathfinder Display;
Saturday 25th July 2009 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes; App 1 - Events; App 2 - Parks' Support to BPF
Saturday 16th May 2009 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
BPF Saturday 24th January 2009 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
BPF Saturday 11th October 2008 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Meeting with Bristol Parks 7th October 2008: Notes of meeting
BPF Saturday 12th July 2008 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
BPF Saturday 19th April 2008 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
BPF Saturday 19th January 2008 - at Windmill Hill City Farm - Minutes here
Email List
Between meetings we keep Park Groups informed of issues of interest via email.
Please email if you would like to be added to our mailing list or use the link below.
Sign up to our mailing list >>
We are happy to have more than one email address for your group - we will not publish these addresses or pass them to anyone else.
There is also a separate list of Park Groups kept by Bristol Parks which includes postal addresses and is used to send out meeting agendas and minutes.
The content of previous email messages can be seen via the links below, each pdf file contains all the messages sent that month - note it may take sometime for emails to be posted here, join our mailing list if you want to keep upto date! Some links in older updates may no longer work.
May/June 2008 - July 2008 - August 2008 - September 2008 - October 2008 - November 2008 - December 2008
January 2009 - February 2009 - March 2009 - April 2009 - May 2009 - June 2009 - July 2009 - August 2009 - September 2009 - October 2009 - November 2009 - December 2009
January 2010 - February 2010 - March 2010 - April 2010 - May 2010 - June 2010 - July 2010 - August 2010 - September 2010 - October 2010 - November 2010 - December 2010
January 2011 - February 2011 - March 2011 - April 2011 - May 2011 - June 2011 - July 2011 - August 2011 - September 2011 - October 2011 - November 2011 - December 2011
Membership
Membership is open to all community park groups and similar organisations with an interest in protecting and enhancing green space in Bristol. New groups are always welcome to join us, membership is free but groups must comply with the criteria set out in the Bristol Parks Forum Terms of Reference.
The current list of groups that are official members of the BPF together with information about the groups can be seen via the link below.
List of Bristol Parks Forum Members >>
Groups wanting to become members of the BPF should complete our Membership Record Form. These can be downloaded from the links below in pdf or in Word format so that it can be filled in and emailed back to us. The form is also used to give us details to be published in the 'Bristol Parks Forum Directory'.
Membership Record Form in pdf format
Membership Record Form in Word format
The 2010 version of the BPF Directory can be downloaded here: Bristol Parks Forum Directory 2010.
We also have a list of all Bristol's parks and park groups.
The current list can be found here: Listing of Parks and Park Groups >>
Information for Park Groups
The following information and links are provided as a resource for Park Groups but may also be useful to anyone who uses Bristol's parks.
Who to contact:
For general issues relating to your park or green space contact the Bristol Parks Neighbourhood Engagement Team.
You can also use the general Bristol Parks email address at or phone 0117 922 3719 Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5pm (4.30pm Fri). Alternatively you can contact Bristol Parks by text on 0771 039 6713.
For removal of drug and sex related litter call the rapid clean up hotline on 0117 922 2100 - this is available Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.00pm. You will need to tell them the location and the type of litter.
If you witness anti social behaviour in a park or green space in Bristol, please report it to either the 'It's Your Call' action line on 0117 922 2500 or the non-emergency police line on 101. Whilst a police response will not always be possible, these calls will help build up a picture of hotspots and issues in your area and are extremely valuable in helping reduce antisocial behaviour. More information on the Council's website.
In our experience Bristol Parks generally respond to queries promptly and try to help where they can, however, if you are not satisfied with the response you receive from Bristol Parks please contact us via and we will try to help resolve your problem.
You can also contact your local councillors and discuss local problems with them, many councillors attend meetings of local park groups.
What land does Bristol City Council own?
The mapping system on the Council's website will show you.
Go to www.bristol.gov.uk/explore-bristol-city and then tick 'Council managed land' in the panel on the left.
Redirectors (shortcuts) to Bristol City Council Web pages
These shortcuts allow you to reach individual sections of the Council's website without going through all the menus. They are also very useful for using in emails or publicity material to direct people to individual pages.
Listing of website redirectors
Community Action Toolkit
Bristol Parks have produced this very informative document which is available for download from their website via the link below. The toolkit is mainly aimed at new groups but contains information that all groups will find helpful.
Download Bristol Parks Community Action Toolkit
Parks Monitoring Forms
Bristol Parks have produced these forms to encourage park groups to monitor the quality of maintenance of their parks. The forms can be printed and the completed forms sent to the freepost post address shown at the end of the form.
Parks Monitoring form.
Word Versions of Health & Safety Forms
The links below take you to Word versions of the most commonly used forms in Bristol Parks Health & Safety Pack which you can download as a pdf from at www.bristol.gov.uk/parksafety. The Word versions allow you to complete the forms and submit them by email.
Attendance Sheet - AttendanceSheet.doc
Health and Safety Plan - HealthandSafetyPlan.doc
Site Risk Assessment Form - SiteRiskAssessment.doc
| Latest News | Contacts | Meetings | email list | Membership | Information for Park Groups |
BPF Parks & Green Spaces Strategy page >>
List of Bristol Parks Forum Members >>
Listing of Parks and Park Groups >>
BPF members The Snuff Mills Action Group are campaigning to ensure that Grove Wood is managed for wildlife, public enjoyment and educational use.The Council has agreed that it should purchase the wood and declare it as a Local Nature Reserve. SMAG have also applied for Town Green status for the land - see below.
More information at http://snuffmills.blogspot.com
Trees are some of the most important features in our parks and open spaces and Bristol Parks Forum has always also had an interest in street trees.The Bristol Tree Forum (formerly the Bristol Street Tree Forum) discusses issues relating to all trees in Bristol
Bristol Tree Forum Agenda, Minutes, Information >>
Planting a tree with the council’s TreeBristol campaign >>
Bristol Parks Forum has formed a Working Group to work with Bristol Parks and the Events team to try and simplify the system for licensing events in parks and green spaces while ensuring that events can be held safely and without excessive impact on other park users. We are keen to see more community events held in Bristol's parks and we believe that events that are aimed at promoting the park or the park group should be lisensed by the Council without charge.It is right that commercial events that use part of a park should pay charges for the 'hire' of the park. There also needs to be systems in place to ensure that all events are organised properly for the safety of those attending and other park users as well as making sure that the park is not damaged.
If you would like to join the Working Group please email
Rules for event licensing
All events in Bristol's parks where more than 50 people are expected to be on site at the same time need to be licensed through the City Council Events Licensing team (note, this does not include guided walks or volunteer work parties / task days - see below).
For small events with 50 to 200 people on site at one time you need to apply for a Park Permit. The cost is £30 per event (increased from £20 on 1st April 2011). As well as the limit on numbers, there are restrictions on the type of event that can be covered by a park permit, eg events using bouncy castles, marquees, or stage are not covered - you will need a site licence. Update: Park Permit applications do not need a formal risk assessment form to be completed, but you do need to provide a statement about how your event will be organised to show that you have considered possible risks.
For all events with more than 200 people attending or with extensive site set ups you need a Site Licence. This is the landowner's permission, licences for selling alcohol or for entertainment have to be applied for separately. For details see the Event Application Toolkit. Licence charges depend on the size of the event, see below, but for small community events the charge is the same as for a Park Permit.
You may be asked for a bond to be held to pay for any damage to the site. Update: Groups that are members of the BPF and some other established community groups will not be asked for a bond for small events.
For all events you need Public Liability Insurance, for Community Groups holding events with less than 200 people this can be provided by Bristol City Council and included in the park permit / site licence fee.
Email Parks.events@bristol.gov.uk to get the forms or for more information.
Bristol City Council - Schedule of Charges for Events on Council land from 1st April 2011 >>
Volunteer Work Parties / Task Days & Guided Walks:There is a separate system that allows you to lead guided walks or to lead a group of volunteers carrying out work to improve your park while being covered by Bristol City Council Insurance. In order to do this you need to complete a short training session which will qualify you as a 'competent person'. Then having agreed the work with your Community Park Officer you need to complete some simple paper work for each event.
You can get more information and download the Health and Safety Pack and Forms from the Bristol City Council website at www.bristol.gov.uk/parksafety.
Letter to BCC Events Team from BPF Working group 4th March 2011
Alison gave a presentation on this issue to the BPF meeting in January 2011. At Redland Green steps have been rebuilt to 'DDA standards' but without any consideration for the visual impact and without proper consideration as to whether they were needed. Since the work (as with most work in parks by the council) did not need planning permission there had been no opportunity for residents to have a say in the design. Following a meeting with Bristol Parks we have agreed a procedure will be put in place so that any new works proposed in parks and green spaces will only happen after proper consultation with Park Groups. This will include works undertaken by other parts of the Council such as the Cycling City team or highways for example.
While law says that the needs of everyone including the disabled should be considered in any project it is important to realise that there is no law that says that steps or ramps have to be built to a particular standard. Work has to include measures that will improve access to the extent that they are are reasonable in the circumstances. Appearance and cost are factors that can be taken into account in deciding what is reasonable.
Alison's paper prepared for the BPF meeting can be seen here.
More information on disabled access and the BCC 'Environmental Access Standards' are on the BCC website.
'By all reasonable means; inclusive access to the outdoors for Disabled people' can be found on the Natural England website.
Town and Village Greens developed under customary law as areas of land where local people indulged in lawful sports and pastimes. Anyone can apply to have land registered as a green if it has been used by local people for
recreation ‘as of right’ (i.e. without permission, force or secrecy) for at least 20 years.
Many groups that are members of the Bristol Parks Forum have applied for Town Green status for their sites. In the past the BPF has organised a workshop session and BPF meetings are an opportunity to exchange information.
BPF Response to BCC Town Green Consultation - December 2011
Bristol City Council Consultation on Town & Village Green Applications (runs until 13th December 2011) >>
Defra Consultation on Town & Village Green Applications (closed on 17 October 2011)
BPF Response to Defra Town Green Consultation - agreed 15th October
BPF notes & list of Town Green Applications in Bristol (pdf)
Filwood - Inspector's second report
Ashton Vale Report by Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive, BCC for PRW&G Committee Meeting 16 June 2011
Ashton Vale Applicants' Submission dated 30 Nov 2011 (posted on bristol.indymedia.org)
BCC webpage with links to Ashton Vale Town Green Inspector's Report
BPF Committee Statement to Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee Meeting 18 April 2011
Details of Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee Meeting 18 April 2011
defra - Town & Village Greens information
Guidance on the Open Spaces Society website
Common land and village green information on BCC website
Links to BPF member groups making Town Green Applications
Ashton Vale Fields - www.ashtonvaleheritage.co.uk
Easter Garden - www.eastergarden.moonfruit.com
Grove Wood - snuffmills.blogspot.com
Okebourne Park - www.saveourpark.moonfruit.com
Wellington Hill - www.friendsofhorfieldcommon.com
One of the sites that has been rejected for Town Green Status is Castle Park. Proposals for building on a large part of the western end of the park (as part of the redevelopment of the disused buildings around the remains of St Mary Le Port Church) were published in 2006.Since then the Parks & Green Spaces Strategy has been adopted showing that the area has a shortage of green space and that the existing space should therefore be protected. No disposal of green space at Castle Park was proposed as part of the AGSP consultation in 2010 and all political parties have said they will protect green space not already proposed for disposal. However, in their response to the AGSP the developer still indicated that they wished to build on part of it.
The link below is to an article from the Bristol Civic Society Newsletter by Roger Mortimer suggesting an option for a more sustainable development that would not take part of the park. Our thanks to Roger for his permission to publish it here.
St Mary Le Port and Castle Park - Article from Bristol Civic Society Newsletter >>
