News / cliftonwood
Cliftonwood residents fight to save one of area’s last green spaces
Children hunting for Easter eggs dashed around a small patch of land known as Cliftonwood’s ‘town green’ on Monday afternoon.
Once all the eggs had been found, many of the children’s accompanying adults were corralled into action because the future of one of the area’s last remaining green spaces is under threat.
This area of land on the junction of Ambrose Road, Ambra Vale East and Argyle Place, and the playground near the Lion pub, were both formerly sites of houses that were destroyed by bomb damage during the Second World War and never rebuilt.
is needed now More than ever
But developers now want to build a three-storey house on the site of what is currently a dilapidated garage next to the town green, also known as the community garden.
Developers want to build a three-storey house on a plot of land currently containing a dilapidated garage, next to Cliftonwood’s town green
Local residents gathered after the Easter egg hunt was over to voice their disapproval of the plans, unfurling a large banner which read, ‘Save our green space – act now’.
One of the leading protesters was Carol Lilwall of Ambra Vale East, coordinator of the Cliftonwood community garden activities which include seasonal fun such as Monday’s Easter egg hunt and spooky goings-on at Halloween.
The garden has won numerous awards, including the Royal Horticultural Society’s best community garden in the South West and a national competition organised by the former Sunday People newspaper.
Community activists first unfurled their banner next to land adjacent to the community garden on which a house could be built
Carol says that the garden “acts as a village hall without walls”, but fears that any development in the adjacent plot will destroy its tranquillity and ambience.
In her submission to Bristol City Council opposing the plans, Carol wrote: “Wise and careful planners have studied the characteristics of this unique conservation area and this development goes against many of those recommended.
“The dedication of the space as a Town Green and its recognition as a crucial green jewel in a dense urban area was hard won by those local people and planners who had the foresight and wisdom to strive for it.
“We have not let them down, it is loved and cherished by the whole community. We trust that you will continue to protect the Green of Clifton Wood.”
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