News / Ashton Gate Stadium
Campaigners slam mayor’s support for homes on ‘beloved’ green space
Marvin Rees has given his “full support” for twin planning applications that would see hundreds of new homes built at Ashton Vale, and a 3,600-seater sports and convention centre as part of a ‘sporting quarter’ built next door to Ashton Gate Stadium.
But campaigners have slammed the mayor, saying that Ashton Vale is a “beloved” green space.
Bristol Sport’s plans for what they are calling Longmoor are for around 500 homes “in a high-quality urban village environment”.
is needed now More than ever
The Longmoor site is currently enclosed between David Lloyd gym and Cala Trading Estate to the north, and the metrobus route to the south west.
Rees said: “The plans have my full support. Worth in the region of around £200m the proposals include more community facilities, greater pedestrianisation and hundreds of new homes, whilst retaining green space and aiming for a biodiversity net gain.
“This investment meets a need that’s been identified and talked about for some time, and will further strengthen Bristol’s role as the cultural, sporting and economic centre of our region.”
Writing on Twitter after Rees voiced his support, campaigner Danica Priest said: “Know what’s funny? I was just about to write a letter to @MarvinJRees thanking him for actually listening to residents & changing his stance on green spaces. I really do want to see the best in people & I thought he changed. Boy was I wrong…
“Have you learned nothing about ecology? I’m disgusted that you so blatantly disrespect our green spaces motion… to destroy a beloved green space. This is not over and I hope councillors will listen to us.
“Ashton Vale is a beloved, nature green green space… and I will fight for it even though you won’t. I can’t believe I was ready to defend you against all the planning related hate you get. They are right you just want to concrete over Bristol.”
The Longmoor site is just 500m to the south west of Ashton Gate close to Long Ashton park & ride – image: Bristol Sport
Sitting in the Lansdown Stand at Ashton Gate on Saturday, Bristol Sport owner Steve Lansdown watched Bristol Bears win against London Irish to continue their unbeaten start to the new season.
Lansdown said that it is “great to finally have” the hearing date for the dual planning application after it has been delayed a few times previously.
“Everything is in place, and we are ready to go, we are just looking forward to getting on with it.”
A sports and convention centre will be the new home of Bristol Flyers basketball team – image: Bristol Sport
Plans to build the Flyers a new 3,626-seater home next to the current stadium were first announced in 2018, with the £100m plans also including two hotels, a multi-storey car park, offices, housing, and “an integrated transport hub”.
Councillors will be deciding on the plans for Ashton Gate and Ashton Vale at a meeting in City Hall on October 5.
Despite Rees’ support, the city mayor should have no influence on planning decisions which are made by a group of cross-party members.
Main image: Bristol Sport
Read next:
- ‘Save Ashton Vale green belt from being built over’
- Final details revealed for Ashton Gate’s new ‘Sporting Quarter’
- Locals ‘left stranded’ by reduced and unreliable bus service
- Delays to crucial transport works around new arena could ’cause chaos and calamity’
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
