Hopes to protect remaining green space with wetland potential

Stepping off the bus in south Bristol is a real breath of fresh air. Green space abounds and there’s a mix of colourful wildflowers, bushy scrub, fruit trees and busy wildlife at work.

In Ashton Vale, a line of houses faces out on to a precious wetland habitat which local councillor Tessa Fitzjohn is campaigning to protect.

Bosses from Bristol Sport, owners of the nearby Ashton Gate Stadium, started to investigate rebuilding on the area around 2008. The space was saved by locals applying for Town Village Green designation, and the home of Bristol City and Bristol Bears stayed put.

The boundary between the metrobus route and Longmoor development site is home to a wealth of biodiversity – photo Ursula Billington

Now, after ten years of peace, outline planning permission has been given for the Longmoor Village development of 510 new houses on greenbelt land opposite the wetland.

The sale will fund a development to include a 3,600-seat sport and convention centre, ten-storey hotel, multi-storey car park and office space.

According to national policy, planning permission should only be granted on greenbelt land in ‘exceptional circumstances.’ A Site of Nature Conservation Interest also extends across part of the area.

Aerial view of site, with Ashton Gate stadium highlighted in yellow – AVWIG 2022

“If we choose not to build, we’re right on the edge of the countryside. That’s a fantastic opportunity for rethinking this gateway to south Bristol,” says Fitzjohn.

With encroaching development reducing accessible local green space, she wants to ensure protection for the Ashton Vale marsh, and a new identity for this part of Bedminster.

“These wetland areas are unique – they absorb carbon into the atmosphere which helps regulate the air the city breathes,” she says.

“My wish for this place is that it gets conserved as a resource, with an education centre, bird hides and raised walkway so people can go for walks and learn about the wading birds and wildlife.”

A vision for the wetland – AVWIG 2022

Bristol & Avon Rivers Trust (BART), Wessex Ecological Consultancy (WEC) and other environmental organisations have already offered support and services to back the project.

“Ashton Vale marsh is the only sizeable wetland remaining in south Bristol,” says Rupert Higgins of WEC.

“In summer flowers such as yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife and ragged robin attract a wide variety of insects.

“Grass snake is present. Sedge warbler and reed bunting are amongst the breeding birds, replaced in winter by snipe, water rail and other winter migrants.”

“Ashton Vale marsh is a valuable asset for the local community,” adds BART project manager Nick Wilson.

“It supports a rich diversity of wildlife not seen elsewhere in Bristol and provides a fantastic opportunity to create a regionally important nature reserve. If protected and enhanced the marsh would offer a valuable space for wildlife and people.”

Conceptual plan of the site – AVWIG 2022

Residents are also keen to protect the space.

“The wetland is hugely important as a last relic of undisturbed green space in a sea of urban development in south Bristol,” says local Caroline Rigg.

“It’s a treasured resource for quiet recreation for locals and those from further afield.”

She lists a wealth of resident wildlife including foxes, moles and shrews, birds such as little egret, teal, sparrowhawk, stonechat and goldfinch, and insects including grasshoppers and dragonflies.

“The importance of all this biodiversity, the wetland’s proximity and ease of access by residents here, cannot be stressed enough,” she says.

“It contributes hugely not just to nature conservation goals in these times of chronic depletion of wildlife, but also to the health and wellbeing of the many people who use the wetland and appreciate its undisturbed nature.”

Butterflies and many other types of wildlife are found in the area adjacent to new developments – photo Ursula Billington

Fitzjohn hopes Bristol Sport, as landowners, will be excited by her vision and support plans to restore the habitat.

“There is work to be done,” she says.

“The site has been damaged so we need an ecological survey, then work, then another survey. That will take money, but also approval from Bristol Sport.”

With fellow councillor Mark Bradshaw she’s exploring funding options to cover £10,000 for the initial survey which they hope to get started before winter.

Fitzjohn sits on the cross party committee reviewing the Bristol City Council Local Plan. She actively supports the strategy to reverse wildlife decline and make space for nature, as well as recognising the dilemma of meeting housing targets for more homes.

Ashton Vale marsh as it is today – photo Tessa Fitzjohn

As Bedminster hosts the largest amount of development in Bristol, with a 40 per cent increase in the local population and subsequent pressure on education and health facilities and employment prospects, Fitzjohn suggests a project such as this could be hugely beneficial for the area.

The Ashton Vale Wetland Initiative Group (AVWIG) assessed the site’s potential and concluded: “With the right ideas and new infrastructure, the wetland could become a safer and pleasurable place for locals to enjoy. Furthermore, exposure to the natural elements of the site will benefit the health and wellbeing of surrounding communities and provide a unique habitat for wildlife.” Read the full report here.

This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile, and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.

Read more:

• Final details revealed for Ashton Gate’s now ‘sporting quarter’
• Save Ashton Vale greenbelt from being built over
• Campaigners slam mayor’s support for homes on ‘beloved’ green space

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