South Bristol needs a comprehensive plan for better sporting facilities
In response to new figures estimating that saving the Whitchurch Athletics Track could cost the taxpayer up to £12.6m, local Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for a comprehensive plan to provide sporting facilities for young people and local communities across South Bristol.
Development of the Hengrove Park site in South Bristol has been ongoing for over two decades. A new council report looking at the future of the Whitchurch Athletics Track, which is planned to be replaced by 125 homes as part of the scheme, has been published revealing the potential cost implications of retaining the track.
The report details that, for the scheme overall, £27.3m has been spent to date with £12.1m of currently repayable loans. To retain the athletics track and re-design the scheme, the report estimates that the price tag would range from £5.7m to £12.6m, plus significant additional legal fees.
With the prohibitive cost of keeping the track, Hengrove and Whitchurch Park’s Liberal Democrat councillors are calling on the council to recognise the clear voices of local residents and to deliver a comprehensive plan for better sporting and fitness provision in South Bristol.
In a statement to a meeting of the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday 13th July, Cllr Tim Kent (Liberal Democrat, Hengrove and Whitchurch Park) said:
“We have read the report regarding the future of the Whitchurch Running Track with great disappointment. We know there is strong feeling across South Bristol that we need this facility, and that the most sensible approach would have been to protect and enhance what already exists.
“We first became involved in the Council's plans for Hengrove Park more than 20 years ago. Looking back over that time, it has too often been a story of a community whose views have been ignored. The achievement of securing a Neighbourhood Plan that struck a balance between development and protecting our park was soon undermined when Labour and Green Party councillors approved development proposals that failed to reflect the aspirations of that plan.
“We then saw the previous administration transfer the entire development site to Goram without meaningful consultation, while setting an unrealistic and ultimately unviable target of delivering 50% affordable housing. In attempting to meet that target, the development has relied on grant funding, additional borrowing and has continued to struggle to remain financially viable.
“The remarkable campaign to save the Whitchurch Running Track has demonstrated the strength of feeling against the development plans imposed on our community by the previous administration. It has also highlighted the overwhelming desire to see more sporting facilities for young people south of the river.
“Whatever decision is reached today, I hope the Committee will recognise and embrace that clear public aspiration.”
Hengrove and Whitchurch Park’s Liberal Democrat Councillors will continue to call on the council to do more for sports and athletics provision in South Bristol.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Papers can be found for the Strategy and Resources Committee Meeting on the 13th July here: ModernGov - bristol.gov.uk